iarjelIARJELIARJEL2708-5120https://doi.org/10.47310/iajel.2021.v02i01.016Knowledge Pathways for Transmission and Preservation o f Indigenous Technical Knowledge in Livestock Protection in Loita Ward Of Narok CountyJosephatK.KeretoAgnesOywayaNkurumwaJamesObaraDepartment of Agricultural Education and Extension, Egerton University, Egerton University, KenyaAccumulated over time, the use of indigenous technical knowledge by the Maasai in protecting livestock against poor nutrition, improper breeding, pests or parasites, diseases as well as injuries emanating from accidental incidences caused by predation, lightning, raids and vehicles is on the decline. Knowledge on biodiversity used to conserve forests that ensure regular supply of water, availability of pastures and herbal plants for livestock treatment is unrecorded. The co-existence of the Maasai with wildlife albeit the danger they pose on livestock lives and the environmentally friendly techniques used to sustain the environment for future generations are diminishing. Oral channels used to transmit the Maasai indigenous technical knowledge by way of stories, riddles and proverbs from one generation to the other are also rare. Information on conservation agriculture practice, manure as well as stinging nettle uses by the Maasai is scarce as the extension service providers are largely absent. The purpose of the study was to determine the knowledge pathways being used to transmit and preserve ITK in livestock protection in Loita Ward of Narok County. The study employed a survey research design and was carried out in Loita Ward of Narok County, Kenya. The target population was the 30,130 pastoral Maasai households in Narok South Sub-county while the accessible population was 2,437 households in Loita Ward who applied indigenous livestock protection techniques. A sample of 120 respondents was selected through proportionate random sampling method. Qualitative data generated from Interview Schedule, Focus Group Discussions and Key Informants were studied and analyzed using Thematic Content Analysis in order to establish inherent facts and information about the extent of use of ITK in livestock protection. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for quantitative data analysis. The study revealed that most custodians of ITK knowledge are the community members themselves, cultural elders, herbalists, moran institution, seers and healers who have a lot of information for every subject ranging from weather, herbal medicine and treatment, vegetation, spiritual besides others. The knowledge practices are orally passed from person to person through personal communication channels like stories, songs, proverbs, myths, cultural values and cultural ceremonies. Whoever has this knowledge holds it on behalf the community. This study recommends that the National Government and the County Government of Narok should safeguard the documented ITK of the pastoralists as it is a vital resource and knowledge from total loss and its exploitation by other people at the expense of the owners, the Maasai. The many stories, songs, folklore, proverbs and questions and answers sessions among the Maasai pastoralists were effective oral channels communicated from one person to the other. These pathways are fast, efficient and effective ways of sharing information and have served the Maasai well. The enhancement of the traditional communication methods with Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) such as computers, internet and libraries will improve accessibility of the integrated ITK. Mainstreaming of this oral channels communication in the new Kenyan Competencies Base Curriculum (CBC) could help improve children oral communication thereby improving their art of listening and comprehending information as they share this through the use of phones, internet and electronics.