www.naturalresources.egerton.ac.ke

Introduction

There is no greater long term need in Kenya today than the conservation and management of her vast natural resources including flora and fauna, natural forests water catchment areas, wetlands and aquatic life.  The pressure on natural resources for fuel and timber and on land in general for agriculture and livestock has led to forest recession, soil erosion, desertification and water catchment degradation – all of which combine to impair the land and water resources.  If these problems are allowed to continue, productivity will be lowered and thus influence negatively the standard and quality of living.

 At Egerton University, the Department of Natural Resources was started in 1965 offering Diploma programmes in Range Science and Forestry Diploma in Wildlife was started later.

 In 1990  a BSc in Natural Resources Management was started.  Today the department offers programmes in Natural Resources Management, Wildlife Enterprise and Management, Ecotourism and Hospitality Management and Integrated Forest Resources Management at Certificate, Diploma, Bachelor and Postgraduate levels.

Objectives

At the end of the study in the programmes offered graduates should be able to:

• Apply the acquired knowledge in ecological, sociological, technical and economic concepts to the theory and practice of natural resource conservation utilization and management.
• Communicate this knowledge and management techniques to the relevant members of the Kenyan society.
• Analyze and evaluate critical issues in natural resource policy, conservation utilization and management.

Programmes in the department are designed to provide broad based education, technical, professional knowledge and practical skills for undergraduate and post graduate students who wish to study environmental issues related to resource use, protection and enhancement of environmental quality and human welfare.

Academic Programmes

• Certificate in Eco-tourism and Hospitality Management
• Diploma in Eco-tourism and Hospitality Management
• BSc in Eco-tourism and Hospitality Management
• BSc in Natural Resources Management
• BSc in Wildlife Integrated Enterprise Management
• MSc in Natural Resources Management
• MSc in Eco-tourism and Hospitality Management
• Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resources Management

Proposed programmes

• Diploma in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Management.
• BSc. in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Management.
• BSc. in Agroforestry and Watershed Management.
• Post graduate diploma in Environment and Social Research Methods.
• MSc. in Natural Resources and Peace Studies.
• Post graduate diploma in Environment and social research methods

Short Courses

• Agroforestry and sustainable natural resource management.
• Commercial game ranching.
• Mineral prospecting and mining.
• Natural resource policy and administration.
• Ecotourism and Hospitality.
• Tree seed collection and nursery management.

Researches

1. Title: “Assessing the Interactions of the Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli Groves 1967),  The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and the Elephant (Loxodonta Africana) in Habitat Utilization in Tsavo West National Park, Kenya: A case study” by Anne Nyambura Githaiga (MSc.)

Supervisors:     Dr. F. Waweru                                                Dr. John M. Mironga

Department:    NARE                                                 Geography

2.      Title: Assessing the viability of Peri Urban Agri-Silviculture for improved Food Security in the Municipality of Nakuru, Kenya” by Samuel Okoth Ondeng (MSc.)

Supervisors:     Dr. Paul M. Makenzi                           Dr. Joshua O. Ogendo

Department:    ENSC                                                  CHS

Supervisors:     Prof. A.A. Abound

Department:    ENSC

 3.      Title: “Factors Affecting Acacia Drepanolobium and Crematogaster Ants’ Interaction in Olpejeta Conservancy” Noel Otieno Olweny         (MSc.)

Supervisors:     Dr. Obwoyere Obati                           Dr. Geofrey M. Wahungu

Department:    NARE                                                 Wildlife Management

 4.      Title: “Assessing the Role and Utility of “Stock Friends” Concept as a Strategy in Povety Alleviation: The case of Ngomeni Community of Mwingi District in Kenya” by Kiambi G. Mboroki (Msc.)

 Supervisors:     Prof Abdillahi A. Aboud                    Dr. Moses K. Karachi

Department:    NARE                                                 NARE

Lecturers

Staff Establishment

The department has 30 academic staff members comprising 5 Ph.D holders in the cadres of Professor, Associate Professor, Senior Lecturers and Lecturers.  There are several Assistant Lecturers and Senior technologists in the respective disciplines.

Dr. G.O. Obwoyere B.Sc., M.Sc., (Egerton) Ph.D (Bremen)

Professor

Aboud A.A., Dip. (Egerton), B.Sc. (Texas Tech), M.Sc.

(Ohio State), Ph.D. (Illinois)

Associate Professor

Kemei I.K., Dip. (Egerton), B.Sc., M.Sc. (New Mexico), Ph.D. (Texas A& M)

Senior Lecturers

Karachi M., B.Sc. (Makerere), M.Sc. (Queensland), Ph.D. (New Mexico)

Too D.K., Dip. (Egerton), B.Sc. (Texas Tech), M.Sc. (Texas A&M), Ph.D.  (Colorado)

Mumiukha P.M., B.Sc. (Nairobi), M.Sc. Forestry (Michigan State)

Lecturers

Maranga E.K., B.Sc. (Nairobi), M.Sc. (Texas A&M) M.Sc. (Nairobi), Ph.D. (Egerton)

Luseneka F.W., Dip. (Egerton), B.Sc. (Texas Tech), PGD, M.Sc. (Norway)

Ayieko J.O., B.Sc., M.Sc. (Nairobi), M.Sc. (Salford)

Ngoda B.J.M., B.Sc. (Nairobi), PGD, M.Sc. (Norway)

Cheruiyot S.K., Dip. (Egerton) B.Sc., M.Sc . (Texas A& M)

Wuodi J.S.O., M.Sc. PGC, M. Phil. (Lumumba)

Inoti S.K., B.Sc. (Nairobi) M. Phil. (Moi)

Maara N.T., B.Sc. (Nairobi) M.Sc. (Egerton)

Assistant Lecturers

Mutinda M.N., Dip., B.Sc. (ANPD), M.Sc. (Egerton)

Dickson A.M., B.Sc. (Egerton) M.Sc. (Free University, Brussels)

Tangus J.K., Dip., B.Sc., M.Sc. (Egerton)

Lenachuru, C.I., Dip., B.Sc., M.Sc. (Egerton)

Kibue G., B.Sc., M.Sc. (Egerton)

Chief Technician

Ojwaka E.O., Dip., B.Sc., M.Sc. (Egerton)

Technicians

Ole Kaikai N.K.W., Dip., B.Sc., M.Sc. (Egerton)

Cheboi E.K., Dip. (Kenya Poly), B.Sc., M.Sc. (Egerton)