Name of Staff: Benson Ojowi Obwanga
Designation/Rank: Lecturer
Department: Biological and Biomedical Science Technology
School: Science and Applied Technology
Email: bobwanga@laikipia.ac.ke
PERSONAL DETAILS
A Educational Background/Qualification
- PhD in Aquaculture & Fisheries, Maseno University, Kenya (ongoing)
- Master of Science in Limnology, Egerton University, Kenya (2010)
- Bachelor of .Science in Applied Aquatic Sciences, Egerton University, Kenya (2005)
B Brief Auto-biography
Benson Ojowi Obwanga has taught at the university level for over 15 years specializing in Zoology of invertebrates and vertebrates of aquatic origin. He has focused his research energies to understand the ecology of aquatic ecosystems, their exploitation by man, interactions and linkages with terrestrial ecosystems and the anthropogenic impacts on these systems vis a vis the climate change conversation. Specifically, has worked to understand the feeding habits of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in its natural habitat and how this can inform the feeding of this economically important food fish that is widely farmed not only in Kenya by farmers, but globally. At the moment, he is working on trials using blue green algae (Spirulina plantensis) common in alkaline as a supplement in diets used for production of Oreochromis niloticus. His research outputs have been shared widely to the benefit of the target ecosystem that includes peers, students and farmers. His works have contributed to the conversation on food nutrition and security. Obwanga who has a diverse network of research partners nationally and internationally has written and won several national and international research grants. He has also implemented several research projects as well as carried out several consultancies in Kenya and beyond. Obwanga is also keen on sustainability of natural resource use and biodiversity conservation.
C Areas of Specialization
Aquatic Ecology
D Research Interest
- Nutrition of Aquaculture Important Fish Species
- Studies on propagation of Spirulina plantensis
- Food and Nutrition Security
E All Publications
- Obwanga B.O., Ngure V., and Outa J. (2022) Impacts of anthropogenic activities in the riparian corridor of Iguameti stream in laikipia county Kenya. Journal of Science and Applied Technology (SAT)
- Katrine S., Valerie C.J.J., Ayuya O.I and Obwanga B.O (2022) Food Systems in Informal Urban Settlements-Exploring Difference in Livelihood Welfare Factors across Kibera, Nairobi. Sustainability, 14, 11099. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711099
- Obwanga B.O., Ngure V., and Outa J. (2022) Impacts of anthropogenic activities in the riparian corridor of Iguameti stream in Laikipia County Kenya. Journal of Science and Applied Technology (SAT)
- Ayuya, O.I., Soma K., Obwanga B. (2021) Socio-Economic drivers of Fish Species Consumption Preferences in Kenya’s Urban Informal Food System. Sustainability 13, 5278. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095278
- Soma K., Obwanga B., Kanyuguto C.M. (2021) A new Rural-Urban Fish Food System established in Kenya- Learning from best practices. Sustainability 13, 7254. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13137254
- Mbugua H., Muritu R., Orina P., Mziri V., Mugo J., Mwangata R., Obwanga B., Were E., and Lewo R (2020) Aquaculture Handbook. A practical guide to aquaculture value chain in Kenya. Macharia S., Kiara P., and Ireri V. (Ed)
- Kessler J.J. Ingrid C., Kilelu C., Simone van Vugt., Koomen I., Bebe B., Katrine S., Asaah N., Gema J., Obwanga B., Rurangwa E., Indira M E., Gonne B. Koge J.W., Jan van der Lee, Annabele D, Wesonga J and Ruerd R. (2020). Food security investments. Transforming the aquaculture, dairy and horticulture sectors in Kenya https://edepot.wur.nl/532111
- Kessler J.J, Ingrid C., Kilelu C., Simone van Vugt., Koomen I., Bebe B., Katrine S., Asaah N., Gema J., Obwanga B., Rurangwa E., Indira M E., Gonne B,. Koge J.W., Jan van der Lee, Annabele D, Wesonga J (2020) META Analysis of 3R Kenya findings about the transformation of the aquaculture, dairy and horticulture sectors – Recommendations to support the aid to aid and trade transition. Wagenigen University and Research https://edepot.wur.nl/532111
- Obwanga, B., Soma K., Ingasia Ayuya, O., Rurangwa, E., van Wonderen, D., Beekman, G., & Kilelu, C (2020). Exploring enabling factors for commercializing the aquaculture sector in Kenya. 3R Research Report 011. Wagenigen University and research, Wagenigen.
- Obwanga, B; Rurangwa, E; van Duijn, A P; Soma, K and Kilelu, C. (2018). A comparative study of aquaculture sector development in Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria: Insights and lessons for Kenya. 3R Kenya Research Summary Report 006. 3R Kenya Project.
- Rurangwa E., Obwanga B.O., Kilelu C., and Katrine Soma. (2018) A comparative study of aquaculture sector in Egypt, Ghana and Nigeria: Insights and lessons for Kenya. 3R Kenya project Policy brief 001
- Keyombe J.K., Malala O.J., Waithaka E., Lewo R.M, Obwanga B.O (2017). Seasonal changes in length-weight relationship and condition factor of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Cichlidae) in Lake Naivasha Kenya
- Obwanga, B., & Lewo, M.R., (2017). From aid to responsible trade: driving competitive aquaculture sector development in Kenya; Quick scan of robustness, reliability and resilience of the aquaculture sector. Wageningen, Wageningen University & Research, Report 2017-092 3R Kenya. 68 pp.; 5 fig.; 3 tab.; 64 ref. https://doi.org/10.18174/421667;http://www.wur.nl/en/ExpertiseServices/Facilities/Library.htm
F Consultancies
- May–July 2022 : Evaluation of the Irish Kenya Agri-Food Strategy (2017-2021) – Blue Economy Value Chain-Consultant for PMO (Policy and Market Options Ltd)
- July 2022-Tri-lateral project called “Up-scaling the FAO-China South-South Cooperation Programme through triangular cooperation with the Government of the Netherlands”. The project is coordinated by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The Chinese Freshwater Fisheries Research Centre FFRC (under Chinese Academy of Fisheries Science) and Foreign Economic Cooperation Center (FECC) are also taking part in the project.
