NANDI TRADITIONAL HEALERS: SENTINELS IN AN UNDERSERVED ENVIRONMENT.

Abstract

Project Purpose: Discuss the healing practices and expressions as well as any perceived barriers to practice of traditional Nandi healers working as specialized herbalists (three) and midwife (one) in a rural community in Western Kenya.

Methodology: This Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) project used qualitative approaches including individual recorded interviews conducted in private in a community in rural western Kenya, which were later transcribed and reviewed with key messages identified. The key messages were then corroborated by the participants and reviewed by the doctoral project committee.

Participants: Four traditional healers, self-identified as herbalists and/or midwives.

Findings: Five key messages emerged from the data which included; knowledge related to traditional healing, practice of traditional healing, compensation, outsiders, and the future of traditional healing in this community.