DRIP MSc scholar

Kitheka Mundumwiu

Research project title:  Assessment of Willingness to Pay for Larvae Spy acoustic technology in Kenya Kitheka a DRIP MSc fellow supervised by Dr Menale Kassie, Dr Paddy Likhayo, Dr Lucy Ngare, Dr Kyalo Willy and Dr Ibrahim N Macharia of Kenyatta University, Kenya. Kitheka’s research interests include Post harvest losses, and use of cost effective methods for postharvest losses mitigation. Kitheka is currently assessing the willingness to pay for Larvae Spy Acoustic technology as an early warning system against pest infestation on cereals in Kenya. Postharvest losses have been a challenge on the global strive towards achieving food security. This challenge may have resulted from the fact that pests’ detection is based on traditional subjective methods of physical scouting. Kitheka completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Agribusiness Management and Trade at Kenyatta University (First Class Honours).

Edward Edmond Makhulu

Research project title: Transmission dynamics of African trypanosomiasis in Narok County, Kenya. Edward is a PEER-BUSHMEAT MSc fellow supervised by Dr. Wambua Lilian and Dr. Adunga Vincent from University of Nairobi and Egerton University, Kenya respectively. Edward’s research interests include Biochemistry of the cell, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Protein interaction and Host-vector-pathogen relationship research. Currently, Edward is trying to unravel the transmission dynamics for African Trypanosomiasis (AT) in Narok County, Kenya, a region onces classified as non-endemic.  The WHO efforts to eradicate AT by 2020 have really yielded success with current statistics showing low prevalence of AT infection in Kenya of even lower than 0.01 in major AT foci. However, the disease is spreading to new localities previously categorized as non-endemic, as in the case of two tourist who were infected by AT after visiting Maasai Mara National Reserve in Narok County, Kenya. To understand the reasons for emergence of this disease in the new localities a comprehensive study on the host – vector – parasite interaction in the area is crucial to get a clear picture on the transmission dynamics favoring the disease emergence. Tsetse fly, the    vector of the disease, provides a better platform in understanding the host – vector – parasite interplay as far as African trypanosomiasis transmission dynamics is concern.  Therefore, this study aims to check on the African trypanosome species circulating in Maasai Mara National Reserve, the host blood preferences for the tsetse flies in the area and finally correlation of the fly infection with endosymbionts present in the collected flies (namely Wolbachia, Sodalis glossinidus and salivary hypertrophy virus) to infer on the vector competence. Edward completed his undergraduate degree in BSc in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Egerton University.

Harrison Njoroge Mburu

Research project title:  Identification of potato cyst nematode (PCN) species and Characterization of their populations from three potato growing regions in Kenya. Harrison is a DRIP MSc fellow supervised by Dr. Solveig Haukeland of icipe, Dr. Laura Cortada-Gonzalez of IITA and Dr. Joel Bargul of Jomo kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Kenya. Harrison’s research interests revolve around populations of potato cyst nematodes (PCN) found in Kenya (Nyandarua, Elgeyo Marakwet and Taita Taveta) and his research work would involve morphological and molecular identification of PCN, establish their distribution and phylogenetic relationships and determine their pathotypes/mitotypes. Harrison is a graduate of Technical University of Kenya (TUK) with the degree of Bachelor of Philosophy in Biotechnology.

Naomi Nyambura Riithi

Research project title:  Developing a tool for contaminating wild Glossina fuscipes species with lethal doses of Metarhizium anisopliae. Naomi is a DRIP MSc fellow supervised by Drs. Michael Okal, Dan Masiga (icipe) and Prof. Elizabeth Kokwaro (Kenyatta University). Naomi’s research interests include Mycology, Molecular Biology and Medical Entomology and is currently developing a tool for contaminating wild Glossina fuscipes species with lethal doses of Metarhizium anisopliae. Tsetse control strategies put in place are greatly limited due to their high costs and environmental implications. Some of the controls involve use of insecticides, repellents and baited targets/traps majorly to control the vectors. The use of chemotherapy has been adopted to deal with the Trypanosoma pathogen. Generally, no control strategy that has proven to be satisfactory as a standalone. This therefore calls for development of new strategies as well as having integrated strategies for effective disease and vector control. The study focuses on control of tsetse using a pathogen; this is by formulation of Metarhizium anisopliae as a mycopesticide which has been found to be a viable in the control of tsetse flies and especially Glossina fuscipes sp. in the field and using a tiny target as the conidia delivery tool. Naomi completed her undergraduate studies in Bsc. Biology at the University of Nairobi.

Kobia Jesee Makinya

Research project title:  Assessment of hygiene status in various maize storage structures in relation to build up of pests, molds and aflatoxin in Nakuru County, Kenya. Kobia a DRIP MSc fellow supervised by Prof Tadele Tefera, Dr Christopher Mutungi (icipe) and Drs. Maina Wagacha and Judith Odhiambo (University of Nairobi, Kenya). His research interests include Post harvest losses, Food quality assessment and use of simple, cost effective methods for mitigation of postharvest losses. He is currently assessing the effect of storage hygiene practices in relation to build up of insect pests, molds and aflatoxin contamination in maize farmers storehouses in Nakuru County, Kenya. Campaigns aimed at popularizing modern storage technologies have not achieved meaningful quantitative reduction of postharvest losses. This failure may have resulted from the fact that farmers’ storage practices (most notably; storage hygiene) have been overlooked. This study aims at assessing postharvest handling practices, hygiene practices in grain storage and the effect of such practices on magnitude of losses incurred by farmers in Nakuru County, Kenya. Bio:  He completed his Bachelor of Science Degree in Microbiology and Biotechnology at the University of Nairobi.

William Limo

Research project title:  Identification of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense strains responsible for varying disease outcomes in mouse and their establishment in insect vector, tsetse fly. William Limo is a DRIP MSc fellow supervised by Dr. Daniel Masiga (icipe), Dr. John Thuita (BioRI-KALRO), and Drs. Vincent Adung’a, Robert Shivairo (Egerton University, Kenya). Limo research interests are in neglected tropical diseases (NTDs); African trypanosomiasis, and in particular host/vector-parasite relationship. William Limo (BSc. Bmed, Dip Anhe) completed his undergraduate studies in BSc. Biomedical Science & Technology and Diploma in Animal Health both from Egerton University.

Molly Obong’

Research project title:  Socio-economic characterization of small-holder coffee farmers in Murang’a County, Kenya in a changing climate. Molly is a DRIP MSc fellow supervised by Dr. Régis Babin (ICIPE) and Dr. Gilbert Ouma (University of Nairobi).  Her research interests include climate resilient agriculture, food security and sustainable livelihoods. Coffee is a significant agricultural commodity in Kenya contributing to the Goss Domestic Product, foreign exchange and supports livelihoods. In the last decade coffee production has been on a declining trend in the country eroding the farmers’ revenues and escalating poverty levels (ICO, 2015). Coffee has been proven to be highly sensitive to temperature change (Bunn et al., 2015) and will therefore be affected by the global climate change. Climate Change forecasts by IPCC 2001 have been projected to adversely reduce crop yields. It is therefore expected that coffee production will also be affected and a reduction in yield will translate into loss of livelihoods for the small-holder farmers increasing their vulnerability. Her research paper titled ‘Socio-economic Characterization of Small-Holder Coffee Farmers in Murang’a County in a Changing Climate’ focusses on the identification of socio-economic and climatic risks in coffee production. The main aim will be to enhance the sustainability of coffee production through the recommendation of climate change adaptation strategies that will increase the farmers’ resilience to the impacts of climate change.

Lilian Wanjiru

Research project title:  Investigation of plasmodium transmission by Diverse Anopheline Species. Lilian is a Thrive MSc. fellow supervised by Drs. Jeremy Herren, Ulrike Fillinger (icipe) and Dr. Francis Mcodimba (icipe and Egerton University Njoro, Kenya). Lillian’s research interests include Vector Borne Human diseases and Parasites of Medical Importance.She is currently investigating the role played by diverse Anopheline species mainly Anopheles funestus, An. rivulorum and An. coustani in maintaining or extending plasmodium transmission between transmission seasons in Western Kenya. There is insufficient information on the role played by An. coustani and An. rivorulum in indoor and outdoor malaria transmission in Western Kenya. These two species are mainly considered as Secondary malaria vectors in Suba district and are suspected of increasing malaria incidences but their precise contribution and role is unknown. There is an urgent need to obtain more knowledge on these two species in order to devise appropriate malaria vector control methods and achieve Kenya’s vision to eliminate malaria, with the ultimate goal of worldwide malaria eradication by 2040-2050. Lilian Completed her undergraduate studies in BSc. Botany, Zoology and Chemistry at Egerton University.

Brenda Kisia

Research project title:  Investigating potential reservoirs and vectors of emerging zoonoses in the human-wildlife-livestock interface of Kubo South, Kwale County, Kenya. Brenda is a Thrive MSc. fellow supervised by Drs. Michael Okal, Jandouwe Villinger (icipe) and Dr. Joel Bargul (icipe and JKUAT). She is currently checking for potential vectors and Reservoirs for zoonotic diseases in human-wildlife-livestock interface in the coastal part of Kenya. Her research interest includes vector-borne pathogens causing emerging infectious diseases, bioinformatics, proteomics and drug resistance studies. She is currently registered as an MSc. Student in JKUAT pursuing Molecular Biology and Bioinformatics. She graduated with a BSc. Medical Laboratory Sciences from the same institution.

Kevin Mwangi

Research project title:  Evaluation of growth performance of Improved Indigenous Chicken fed on diets containing Black Soldier Fly Larvae Meal. Kevin is a DRIP MSc. Student Supervised by Dr. Komi Fiaboe (ICIPE) and Drs. Isaac Osuga and Prof. Lucy Kabuage (Kenyatta University). Kevin’s research interest is in animal nutrition and he is doing his research on the use of black soldier fly larvae meal as an alternative protein source for improved indigenous chicken in Kenya. The study evaluates the growth performance of improved indigenous chicken fed on diets containing black soldier fly larvae meal. In Kenya, the indigenous chicken enterprise has been identified as an economic tool for poverty alleviation in rural households. There has also been a consistent increase in the demand for IC products (meat and eggs), mainly driven by the steady rise of health conscious consumers and the perceived special flavor. However, the supply of indigenous chicken products has continuously been affected by low IC productivity, linked to poor nutrition among other factors. Financially, feed constitutes about 70% of the total cost in poultry production. The high cost of feed resources especially protein concentrates is due to their high unavailability. It is essential to, therefore, consider alternative poultry feed resources. Researchers have identified insect meals, particularly black soldier fly larvae meal as one of the alternative sources that could enhance food and feed security. This study aims to provide information on the nutritive value of locally prepared black soldier fly larvae meal and to determine the growth performance of improved indigenous chicken fed on diets containing graded levels of the meal.

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