Influence of Community Participation on Indigenous Knowledge Collection in County Libraries in Marsabit and Isiolo, Kenya
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70619/vol6iss2pp36-49-938Keywords:
Indigenous Knowledge, Community Participation, County Libraries, Knowledge Collection, Social Capital Theory.Abstract
County libraries are expected to preserve Indigenous Knowledge (IK) through systematic collection and documentation. However, in Marsabit and Isiolo counties, much of this knowledge remains undocumented because community participation in library-led IK collection is inconsistent and inadequately structured. This study evaluated how community participation influences Indigenous Knowledge collection in county libraries in Marsabit and Isiolo, Kenya. The study drew on Social Capital Theory, which explains how trust, social networks, and shared norms facilitate collective action in community-based knowledge preservation. The study adopted a descriptive survey design using quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study was conducted in county libraries in Marsabit and Isiolo and targeted 370 respondents, comprising 33 library staff, 42 Community Knowledge Holders (CKHs), and 295 Indigenous Knowledge Programme Participants (IKPPs). The study selected a sample of 150 respondents through census sampling for library staff and CKHs and stratified random sampling for IKPPs. We collected data using structured questionnaires and semi-structured interview guides. Instrument validity was established through expert review and pretesting at Kitui County Library, while reliability was confirmed using Cronbach's alpha coefficients above the recommended threshold of 0.70. Quantitative data were analysed using IBM SPSS Version 26, while qualitative data were analysed thematically. The findings revealed a strong positive and statistically significant relationship between community participation and Indigenous Knowledge collection (r=0.728, p<0.001), with a composite mean of 4.06 (SD = 0.79), indicating well-established participatory practices. The study concludes that meaningful community participation is critical to effective Indigenous Knowledge collection. It recommends that county library management, the Kenya National Library Service (KNLS), and county governments institutionalise structured participation mechanisms, including community forums, storytelling sessions, cultural events, and validation meetings. The study contributes empirical evidence demonstrating that structured community participation strengthens Indigenous Knowledge collection and preservation in culturally diverse county libraries in Kenya.
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