资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

Lake Bogoria in Kenya’s Rift Valley region is a soda lake – extremely salty and alkaline, unable to support fish. It has deep spiritual and cultural significance for the Endorois people, who have been its custodians for centuries. But it’s only in the last few years that they realized they are sitting on a potential gold mine.

The lake – famous for its flamingos and freshwater spouts – contains rare microbes and micro-organisms from which valuable enzymes can be produced. These have been harvested and used by companies in Europe and the United States for antibiotics, detergents and to dye fabrics.  Some of these companies have been subject to lawsuits for not sharing the financial benefits of with Kenya.

The Nagoya Protocol

In 2014, Kenya ratified the Nagoya Protocol, a global agreement that implements the access and benefit-sharing of genetic resources for biotechnology research and development. The protocol celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

With the support of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility, since 2014 the Kenya Wildlife Service has been working with Kenyan researchers to identify active components in Lake Bogoria and Lake Magadi to develop commercially viable organic substances for textile processing and biopesticides.

“Kenyan scientists are isolating enzymes for textile processing – turning cotton to yarn and then into fabric – to replace inorganic chemicals such as caustic soda that are currently used. The use of biopesticides for agriculture is a second line of research,” says Levis Kavagi, a UNEP biodiversity expert who has worked closely with the project.

Under the Nagoya Protocol, the researchers – from the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and Moi University – were required to obtain “prior informed consent” from the local community through a structured consultative process.

“The Nagoya Protocol ensures that no one is left behind. It calls for inclusivity of local communities and all stakeholders, with attention to the needs of women, children and people with disabilities,” said Juliette Biao, Head of UNEP’s Africa Regional Office.