Research Article
Bridging Worlds: Mechanisms for Integrating Indigenous Knowledge into the Ethiopian Parliament’s Governance Functions
Mohammed Zeinu Hassen*
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
66-78
Received:
3 July 2025
Accepted:
11 July 2025
Published:
30 July 2025
Abstract: Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are deeply woven into the social fabric of Ethiopia, representing generations of accumulated wisdom in areas such as traditional governance, sustainable agriculture, herbal medicine, and cultural practices. These systems often form the basis of social order and problem-solving at the community level. However, the country’s formal legislative institutions - the bicameral Federal Parliamentary Assembly, comprising the House of Peoples’ Representatives (HoPR) and the House of the Federation (HoF), primarily operate within a framework largely inspired by Western legal and parliamentary traditions. This modern structure has not yet systematically or effectively incorporated indigenous worldviews, knowledge, or traditional governance practices into national lawmaking. This disconnect can lead to policies that are detached from local realities and undermine the legitimacy felt by citizens towards formal state institutions, as reflected in public trust surveys. This article reviews Ethiopia’s diverse indigenous knowledge systems, including prominent examples like the Oromo Gada system, and examines the current structure and legal framework of the Ethiopian Parliament concerning cultural diversity and indigenous participation. It identifies the critical institutional gaps, linguistic barriers, and trust deficits hindering the meaningful integration of indigenous knowledge into parliamentary processes and legislation. Drawing on a qualitative methodology involving a comprehensive review of existing academic literature, policy documents, constitutional and legal texts, and comparative case studies from both Ethiopian traditional systems and international examples (such as Bolivia and South Africa), the study proposes theoretical and practical mechanisms for bridging these two distinct worlds of governance. We argue that approaches grounded in legal pluralism, the establishment of dedicated consultative councils representing traditional authorities, the creation of specialized parliamentary committees focused on indigenous affairs, and reforms to ensure dedicated representation for indigenous knowledge-bearers can significantly enable the systematic inclusion of local knowledge and perspectives in national governance processes. Finally, the article outlines specific constitutional, legal, and policy reforms necessary for implementation and provides clear, actionable recommendations directed towards Ethiopian lawmakers, civil society organizations, and scholars. The overarching goal is to facilitate the formal recognition, institutionalization, and harnessing of indigenous wisdom within Ethiopia’s parliamentary framework to foster governance that is more inclusive, culturally resonant, legitimate, and effective in serving all its diverse peoples.
Abstract: Indigenous knowledge systems (IKS) are deeply woven into the social fabric of Ethiopia, representing generations of accumulated wisdom in areas such as traditional governance, sustainable agriculture, herbal medicine, and cultural practices. These systems often form the basis of social order and problem-solving at the community level. However, the ...
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Research Article
Agile Project Planning Methodology and Performance of Turnkey Electrical Projects in Kenya
David Ngua Syengo*,
Isaac Odhiambo Abuya
Issue:
Volume 10, Issue 4, August 2025
Pages:
79-96
Received:
31 August 2025
Accepted:
12 September 2025
Published:
9 October 2025
Abstract: The objective of the study is to establish the influence agile planning approach on the performance of turnkey electrical projects in Kenya. The hypothesis of the study was that there is no significant relationship between agile project planning approach and the performance of turnkey electrical projects. The study utilised correlational design to establish the relationship between the planning approach and project performance indicators without manipulating variables. The unit of analysis is the 15 major turnkey projects executed in the electric transmission and distribution power network in Kenya in the last 18 years. The unit of observation being the 55 project management team members that include project managers, project engineers, project management and finance specialists drawn from the turnkey projects making 55 respondents. The study utilised the census method by targeting the identified respondents and collecting data using a structured questionnaire and conducting key informant interviews for quantitative and qualitative data collection respectively. The study examined the correlation between agile project planning approach and performance of turnkey electrical projects in Kenya. The outcomes showed that the Agile way of project planning had a strong association with project performance, with a correlation coefficient of 0.728 (p < 0.01). Its flexible and iterative nature were popular, with real-time change feedback and client feedback loops both rating a mean of 4.64 (Standard Deviation (SD) = 0.712). The regression model showed that Agile explained 53.0% of the variation in performance (R2 = 0.530, Adjusted R2 = 0.519) with an unstandardized coefficient of 0.820 (p < 0.001), showing that a one-unit increase in Agile adoption enhanced performance by 0.820 units. The Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) results supported the significance of the model (F = 48.531, p = 0.000). This aligns with project management literature suggesting the use of Agile in projects requiring flexibility and stakeholder engagement, particularly in infrastructure projects with evolving specifications. The study’s findings and recommendations for policy, practice and future research are provided.
Abstract: The objective of the study is to establish the influence agile planning approach on the performance of turnkey electrical projects in Kenya. The hypothesis of the study was that there is no significant relationship between agile project planning approach and the performance of turnkey electrical projects. The study utilised correlational design to ...
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