Dr. William Ngoyawu Mnene (Acting Director [ARLRI])

Dr. Mnene holds a Doctorate degree in Plant Ecology from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Nairobi; MSc and BSc degrees in Range Science, Texas A & M University.  He was a Research Fellow at ILRI, Addis Ababa and has also done several short courses in various fields.  He has over 35 years’ experience in research.

Prior to his appointment in 2014 Dr. Mnene was the Centre Director for eight years at the Range Research Centre, Kiboko. He also coordinated and led research projects and activities under various programmes.  For example (2007-2014) KARI/EU Agriculture and Livestock Research Support, ILRI/AARNET Crisis Mitigation in Pastoral Areas of Eastern and Central Africa, ILRI/ASARECA Coping mechanisms in Pastoral Areas of Eastern and Central Africa, ASARECA Up-scaling Feed Packaging and Conservation Innovations for Drought Management in Pastoral Systems of Eastern and Central Africa and USAID/TAMU Livestock Early Warning System among others.  He was responsible for setting up an elaborate early warning monitoring infrastructure both in Kenya and southern Ethiopia. While doing all these he was and is still championing initiatives to improve the range for sustainable livestock production.  In particular he has addressed range degradation, natural pasture improvement, reseeding and setting up of a highly successful community-based seed system for range forage seeds which is a scarce commodity.  This has also required collection of ecotypes country wide and characterizing them with a view to identify and promote promising materials.

Dr. Mnene served as the Officer-in Charge of Buchuma Research Sub-Centre for seven years (1985-1992).

Dr Simon G Kuria (Centre Director KALRO Kiboko)

Dr Kuria holds a Doctorate degree in Animal Production, a Master of Science degree in Range Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in Range Management, all from the University of Nairobi - Kenya.
Dr. Simon G. Kuria was appointed the Ag. Centre Director Kiboko in April 2015 and confirmed to the same position in December 2016. Prior to this appointment, Dr Kuria had served as the CD KARI Marsabit for over 8 years starting February 2007 to April 2015. At the time of appointment as the CD Marsabit, Dr Kuria was a Senior Research Officer and Head of Livestock Production section in the Centre. Dr Kuria began his research career as a Graduate Research Assistant at the University of Nairobi in December 1994 and joined KARI three years later in February 1998 as a Research Officer I. He rose to the position of Senior Research Officer, Principal research officer and CD. Over the period Dr Kuria served in KARI, he held positions as follows; a core team member of an IDRC funded project entitled “Agricultural productivity and climate change in the arid and semi-arid Kenya” from September 2011 to March 2015; a senior scientist in a DAAD funded project called GrassNet which was a cross-continental network for sustainable adaptation of grassland systems vulnerable to climate change beginning June 2009 to the end of 2012; coordinated the activities of a BMZ funded small grant project entitled ‘Mutual learning for farmers and scientists for adaptation to climate change in the pastoral areas of northern Kenya’ ending in December 2012; the Principal Investigator of an African Development Bank supported project bearing the title “Processing, value adding and marketing of camel meat and milk products in northern Kenya” from April 2006 to March 2011; served as the National Focal Point Representative of an ASARECA funded project on Natural Resource Management and Biodiversity Conservation in the dry lands of East and Central Africa, coordinating the project activities in the northern Kenya focal area between September 2009 and August 2011; key member of the team that implemented a USAID funded project called Pastoralists Risk Management (PARIMA) implemented in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia from July 2004 to June 2009; coordinated an EU funded Agriculture/Livestock Research Support Program, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, Marsabit component from 2000 to 2002.

During his research career, Dr Kuria has authored 14 and co-authored 5 journal papers; has authored 1 and co-authored 2 book chapters, co-authored 2 International Livestock Research Institute’s (ILRI) Research Reports, authored a chapter in a camel manual for service providers, co-authored a Guide to develop the camel sector in Kenya for the Ministry of Livestock Development. In addition, Dr. Kuria has made numerous presentations in international and local conferences and authored several projects level and Centre technical reports.

Everlyne Cheptarus Kirwa - Research Officer, pasture Improvement

Everlyne C Kirwa holds a Bsc. Range management and MSc in Range management from the University of Nairobi. She is currently undertaking a PhD in Plant Ecology with a focus on selection and evaluation of ecotypes of potential grass species for reseeding the ASALs of Kenya. She has been involved in pasture improvement activities in the Drylands for over 10 years now.

Kisambo, Bosco Kidake (Research Officer [Natural Resource Management])

An Agricultural Scientist with a BSc - Natural Resources Management (Egerton University, Kenya) and MSc. In Agricultural Sciences in the Tropics and Subtropics (University of Hohenheim, Germany) with interest in management and utilization of natural resources, climate change and agricultural production systems. Currently involved in research activities targeting improved livestock productivity in the ASALs. He is also currently the ASAL-APRP Program Component Coordinator (PCC) at KALRO Kiboko.
 

Phili Njuguna Muiga - Research Officer Livestock Production

A graduate of Animal production with a balance of knowledge and hands on experience across the Animal production field and broad range of managerial Skills. Holds a bachelor of Science in Animal Production from Egerton University.

Currently overseeing the management of livestock in KALRO Kiboko. Prior to this, he served as the Officer In charge, Beef Research Centre, Mariakani. He was also in charge of Bamba testing site which was under Beef Research Centre, Mariakani

Bryan Peter Ogillo (Research Officer [Range Ecology]), KALRO-ARLRI, Kiboko

He holds Master’s degree in Range Management from University of Nairobi, Kenya and Bachelor’s Degree in Range Management (Ecology Option) from the same university.

He is currently head of section the Range Resource Management and Ecology (RRME) at KALRO-ARLRI, Kiboko Research Centre. He also assists in the implementation of the ASAL APRP activities at the centre. Specifically pasture seed production, community pasture seed bulking and National performance trials (NPT) for two range grass viz. Enteropogon macrostachyus (Bush Rye Grass) and Chloris roxburghiana (Horsetail Grass).

Bernard Kipkoech Korir - Research Officer, Animal Nutrition

Range animal nutrition scientist currently involved in research on animal nutrition geared towards improving livestock nutrient in the rangelands. Has special interest on cattle and goats. Currently studying a PhD at the University of Nairobi focusing on the effect of different feed supplements on rumen microbial diversity in beef steers. He has MSc in Range Animal Nutrition and a BSc in Range Management  from the University of Nairobi

Janet Kimutai (Research Officer [Socio Economics), KALRO-ARLRI, Kiboko

She graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Economics degree from the University of Nairobi. Currently Working as an intern in the Socioeconomic and Policy Development Unit at KALRO, ARLRI Kiboko.

Paul N Katiku (Research Officer [Animal Nutrition and Feed Science), KALRO-ARLRI, Kiboko

He holds a MSc. Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, University of Nairobi (2010) and aBachelor of Science; Animal Science from Egerton University. He has a wealth of experience spanning for 28 years working with GoK/KARI/KALRO in Livestock Management and Research in a number of projects, ASAL-APRP inclusive. Has special interests in in Animal nutrition and livestock production systems, filed in which he has worked and published widely.

Levi Mulongo Wambulwa (Research officer II) Livestock production

He holds BSC degree in Animal Production from Egerton university; diploma in Animal Science and Health management from Bukura Agricultural College, Certificate in Animal health and Artificial Insemination from AHITI Ndomba. Has wealth experience in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) i.e. AI, ET & Synchronization .He was involved in EAAPP project on 1st trial of ART undertaken 2014-2015 on Zebu cattle at Kiboko.

Denis O. Kubasu - Research Officer (Ecology)

Holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Kenyatta University. He is currently involved in research activities on pasture improvement and management in the ASALs. Working as an Intern in the Ecology sectio.

Joseph arap Bii - Research Officer, Animal nutrition