In Kenya, traditional knowledge on herbal medicine has remained a mainstream source of maintaining wellbeing for generations in many communities. However, the knowledge has been eroded in the course of time due to sociocultural dynamics virtually advanced by Christianity and formal education especially in the Kikuyu community. The study documented current ethnobotanical knowledge and threat to the traditional knowledge on medicinal plants among the Kikuyu community. A survey was carried out in Mathira, Tetu, Kieni, Othaya, Mukurweini, and Nyeri Town constituencies. Thirty practicing herbalists were purposively sampled; 5 per constituency. Data was obtained through semi -structured questionnaires and analyzed both qualitatively and quantitatively. A total of 80 ailments treated using 111 medicinal plant species distributed within 98 genera and 56 families were documented. Prevalent communicable diseases treated using herbal medicine included; gonorrhea (17.5%), malaria (15%), respiratory infections (12%), colds (10%) and amoebiasis (10%). Non-communicable diseases were; joint pains (11.1%), ulcers/hyperacidity (8.7%), high blood pressure (8.7%), intestinal worms (11.1%) and arthritis/gout (10%). Frequently harvested plant materials were; roots, barks and leaves. The study concluded that, traditional medicine practitioners in Nyeri County possessed wide knowledge of herbal medicine but this knowledge was on the verge of disappearing as it was largely a preserve of the aged generation. The study recommended massive campaign about the benefits of using herbal medicine in the study area. Further pharmacological studies are recommended on the mentioned plant species aimed at establishing their efficacy and safety as well as standardization as potential drugs.

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The Maasai community from Kenya is highly esteemed for their strong adherence to traditional cultures and ethno medicine. This is attributed to their age-old traditional mechanisms of passing down knowledge to the younger generation. Adoption to new socio-economic lifestyle and urbanization has been associated with development of diabetes, which has been reported among some indigenous pastoral communities in Kenya. Documentation of traditional methods of treatment and management of diabetes by the Maasai has not yet been reported, yet it is noteworthy. Thirty traditional healers from Narok County were purposively selected and interviewed about traditional knowledge of antidiabetic medicinal plants, parts used, preparation dosage and administration. A total of 14 antidiabetic plant species distributed within 13 genera and 12 families were identified and documented as herbal medicine used in the management of diabetes. The most highly cited plant species was Dovyalis abyssinica (20%), the plant family Flacourtiaceae and Rhamnaceae (2 plant species each) recorded the highest number of plant species while the most frequently used plant part was the roots (46%). Literature review revealed that some of the cited plants have known phytochemicals with antidiabetic activity; the study recommends further scientific investigation to validate their efficacy and safety.