CURRICULM VITAE- REUBEN MASINDE WASWA
Nationality: Kenyan
Date of birth: 1972/07/23
Marital Status: Married
Languages: English, Swahili, Luhya
Contact Information
Tel. 0702 256 293
Email:
Profile:
A. SUMMARY
A Highly talented professional with experiencein agriculture/agronomy, food security, environmentally friendly farming activities and sustainability. Has experience working with communities in private companies and National Project and teaching at the university. Hashands-on experience in agricultural and livestock production with proven ability inextension and technology transfer, agriculturalresearch operations,and teaching activities, with deep understanding of the agricultural industry, role played by women in agricultureand data management.
B. EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
I. Current- PhD at African Women Studies Centre-UON
Title: Women’s Knowledge and Experiences in Food Security
II. M.Sc. (Plant Pathology/Crop Protection) , University of Nairobi, Kenya(2007)
Research Thesis: Management of late blight disease (Phytophthorainfestans) of potato and tomato by antibiotics produced by Streptomyces sp, University of Nairobi, 2007
III. B.Sc. (Agriculture), Universityof Nairobi, Kenya (1997)
Degree Award: First Class Honors
IV.KenyaCertificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), Bokoli High School, 1991
Grade: B
V. Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), Khachonge Primary School, 1987
Grade: B
VI. Field attachment/internship:Nzoia Sugar Company, 1996
VII. Grew up on a family farm and participated in agricultural production programs for young people in Agriculture.
C. WORK/ PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
NOVEMBER 2015- CURRENT
Graduate Assistant/ Assistant Lecturer: African Women Studies, UON
MARCH 2013- OCTOBER, 2015
Researcher: Food Security Project, African Women’s Studies Centre, University of Nairobi
I. Researcher, AWSC
Duties/Roles
- Preparation of study tools
- Review of existing literature on the study on Food Security
- Designing of methodology used for sampling in collaboration with Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
- Recruitment of field Research Assistants
- Training of Research Assistants on data collection techniques
- Coordination of field research activities
- Compilation of field research data
- Recruitment of Data Entry Clerks
- Supervision of Data Entry
- Liaising with Kenya National Bureau of Statistics for Data cleaning and analysis
- Preparation of National and County Reports
- Writing of County Policy Briefs
- Sharing of AWSC research findings with policy makers and other stakeholders
- Preparation of budget proposals and recommendations for sharing with Parliamentary Budget Committee.
- Participation in Proposal writing for fund-raising
- Participation in writing documents for evidence- based policy advocacy
- Preparation of posters on food security innovations
- Representing the AWSC in Food Security meetings with other stakeholders
Roles
- Supervision of research team in field data collection
- In-charge of field coordination and logistics
- Conducting Focus Group Discussions(FGDs)
- Conducting of debriefing workshop with County Government and other stakeholders
- Compilation of field reports and data from Research Assistants
- Writing of County Report
- Sharing Research Findings with County Executive, Members of County Assemblies and other stakeholders
Roles
- Supervision of research team in field data collection
- In-charge of field coordination and logistics
- Conducting Interviews of the Key Informants
- Compilation of field reports and data from Research Assistants
- Writing of County Report on the Pilot Study
Roles
- Supervision of research team in field data collection
- In-charge of field coordination and logistics
- Conducting Focus Group Discussions(FGDs)
- Conducting interviews of Key Informants
- Conducting of debriefing workshop with County Government and other stakeholders
- Compilation of field reports and data from Research Assistants
- Writing of County Report
- Sharing Research Findings with County Executive, Members of County Assemblies and other stakeholders
Roles
- Teaching, two courses;
ii) Principles of Plant Disease and Pest Control
- Supervising student project: EvitarOchieng, Effect of Mulching on Crop Insect Damage
Roles
- Carried out National baseline survey forAfrican Harvest Biotechnology International on banana production, consumption, and marketing in 24 districts
- Data entry analysis
- Report writing
- Recommendations on production, value addition and marketing
Roles/Duties
- Collecting and compiling of data on usage of methyl bromide in the country
- Conducting of farmer training workshops
- Preparation of training manuals on methyl bromide alternatives
- Training of growers on use methyl bromide alternatives on farms
- Procurement of alternative equipment and materials
- Supervision of installation of methyl bromide alternative technologies on farmers’ fields
- On-farm training of growers on installed equipment and technologies
- Farm follow up on use of alternative technologies
- Carrying out case studies on new and alternative technologies
- Preparation of annual and final reports to the Multi-Lateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol
Roles/Duties
- Teaching growers on production of high value vegetable crops
- Writing of content on horticultural production for radio programme presentation
- Promotion of horticultural crops in Agricultural shows, field days, Farmer Training Centers and Farmer Field Schools
- Conducting of field trials for new horticultural seeds
Roles/Duties
- Carrying out field and laboratory efficacy trials of new pesticide molecules
- Data collection, entry and analysis
- Writing reports and recommendations on the new pesticide molecules
1. Project on use of organic soil amendments in the control of plant pathogenic nematodes and other soil borne plant problems, at Kibwezi Dry Land Scheme
2. Project on evaluation and use of agricultural antibiotics produced by soil bacteria in control of foliar plant diseases in Eastern and Central Kenya.
Duties
- Carrying out field and laboratory trials
- Data collection and analysis
- Writing reports and recommendations
Duties
- Teaching Biology, Chemistry and Agriculture
- Responsible for all crop production activities on the school farm, both educational and commercial.
- Budget Proposals for attaining Food and Nutrition Security and Implementation of Article 43 (1) (C) of the constitution of Kenya. Submitted to the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly, 2015/ 2016 Financial Year.
- Implimentation of Article 43 1 (C) of the Kenya Constitution : A Guide to the Food Security Bill, 2014
- Targeting Women, Youth and Food Poor Households for Food Security in Budget Policy Statement 2015/2016: Recommendations submitted to the National Treasury, 2015.
- Recommendations on the Senior Citizens Care and Protection Bill, 2014: Submitted in May, 2015 to Senate.
- Review of the Agriculture Policy 2015: Submitted to the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Security, March 2015
- Review of the National Food Security Strategy. Submitted to Ministry of Agriculture., Livestock and Fisheries, 2015
- Targeting of Food Poor Households and Women in The National Food Security Strategy Programmes. Submitted to UN-WOMEN. February 2015.
- Targeting Food Poor Households through Existing MOALF Programmes to Increase Food Security in 47 counties. Submitted tothe Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries October 2014.
- Budget Proposals for attaining Food and Nutrition Security and Implementation of Article 43 (1) (C) of the constitution of Kenya. Submitted to the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly, 2014/ 2015 Financial Year.
- Budget Proposals for Food Security in Nairobi Submitted to Nairobi County during the 2014/2015 Financial Year.
- Budget Proposals for attaining Food and Nutrition Security and Implementation of Article 43 (1) (C) of the constitution of Kenya. Submitted to the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly, 2013/ 2014 Financial Year.
- Budget Proposals for attaining Food and Nutrition Security and Implementation of Article 43 (1) (C) of the constitution of Kenya.Submitted to the Budget and Appropriations Committee of the National Assembly, 2014/ 2015 Financial Year.
- Food Security Proposals to the Sector Committee on Agriculture Rural and Urban Development in the 2014/2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework.
- Food Security Proposalsto the Sector Committee on Environment, Water and Natural Resources in the 2014/2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework
- Food Security Proposals presented to The Senate Committee on Agriculture and Food Security 2014
- Targeting Food Poor Households through Existing MOALF Programmes to Increase Food Security in 47 counties. By African Women’s Studies Centre(UON) and Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries October 2014.
Proposal / Submitted to
- Development of Food Security Targeting Information Systems in 47 Counties
- Providing Solutions to Africas Growth: The Tabitha Karanja Research Grant for African Women Entrepreneurs ,2015
- Providing Solutions to Africas Growth: The Equity Foundation Research Grant for African Women Entrepreneurs ,2015
- Targeting of Food Poor Households and Women in The National Food Security Strategy Programmes, 2015
- Cost Implications of The Gender Gap In The Agriculture Sector 2014
F. PARTICIPATION IN REPORT WRITING
- Final Report on Phase-Out of Methyl Bromide in Kenya. Submitted to Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol, 2009.
- Status report on the Kenya National food security, University of Nairobi publication, 2014.
- Report on Documentation of Women Experiences in Food Security. African Women’s Studies Centre,UON. 2014
- County Specific Reports on Food Security. By African Women’s Studies Centre,UON,2014
- County Policy Briefs for enhancement of Food Security in 21 Counties. By African Women’s Studies Centre,UON,2014.
- Waswa, R.; Mutitu, E.W.; Mbaria, J: Efficacy of antiobiotics produced by Streptomyces Sp in control of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) of potato and tomato- Unpublished
- Waswa, R.; Mbaria, J.; Mutitu, E.W: Mamalian toxicity of antibiotics produced by Streptomyces Sp- Unpublished
- Final Report on Phase-Out of Methyl Bromide in Kenya. Submitted to Multilateral Fund of the Montreal Protocol, 2009.
- Status report on the Kenya National food security, University of Nairobi publication, 2014.
- Report on Documentation of Women Experiences in Food Security. African Women’s Studies Centre,UON. 2014
- County Specific Reports on Food Security. By African Women’s Studies Centre,UON,2014-( Five published: Kiambu, Nairobi, Migori, Laikipia,Baringo)
- County Policy Briefs for enhancement of Food Security in 21 Counties. By African Women’s Studies Centre,UON, 2014
- Poster on:Utilization of Food Security Targeting Information Systems (FSTIS)- LISHAKENYA APPLICATION to Enhance Food Security in Counties: Presented during the University of Nairobi Innovation Week, August 2015.
- Waswa, R: Challenges of urban planning in relation to green energy. Paper presented to Green Energy Africa conference held at Panafric Hotel, March 2015
- Waswa R,: Status of food security in Kenya: Paper presented in a colloquium by African Women’s Studies Centre and Law School, University of Nairobi, October 2013
- Mutitu, E. W.; Waswa, R.; Chepsoi, J., Mutoro,K.andNdungu, M. 2007. Alternatives to methyl bromide used in Kenya for the management of soil borne pathogens; an overview. Paper presented during the Horticultural Association of Kenya Conference held at University of Nairobi Kabete Campus, Nov. 2007
- Mutitu, E. W.; Waswa, R.; Chepsoi, J., Mutoro,K.andNdungu, M. 2007. Major soil borne diseases in cut flower and vegetables and their management using methyl bromide alternatives. A paper presented at the Kenya Flower Council seminar held at the Methodist Guest House May 2007.
- Was a key member of the Team that phased out of over 200 metric tons of the environmentally harmful methyl bromide and replacement with safer alternatives in soil fumigation in Kenya
- Trained over 1000 growers in safe and environmentally friendly methods in crop production and control of crop pests and diseases
- Created awareness through promotion and demonstration of high quality seeds that catapulted Vetagro EA. Company from 27 t0 4th position
- Carried out consultancy for Farmchem Ltd on efficacy of new fungicides in control of Coffee Berry Disease(CBD)
- Increased productivity and export of horticultural crops due to better soil borne management in Central Kenya region
- Increased productivity of in Kibwezi dry land areas by use of better water management and management of soil borne pathogens
Ability to develop and write Concept papers, Fundraising proposals, Policy Intervention proposals, Scientific research proposals. Able to organize and effectively carry out a work plan, develop financial plans, objectives, budgets and forecasts. Ability and skills to carry out experiments/demonstrations/trials/case studies in the both quantitative and qualitative research. Collection, analysis and interpretation ofscientific data and information and write complete and detailed technical reports. Multi-talented and capable of multi-tasking.
Major strengths include strong leadership, excellent communication skills, competent, strong team player, first learner with attention to detail, dutiful respect for compliance in all regulated environment as well as supervisory skills, and administrative tasks, and clear vision to accomplish company/organizational goals.
K. COMPUTERSKILLS
MS Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel, SPSS, Genstat.
L. REFEREES
1. Prof. WanjikuMukabi Kabira
Director, African Women Studies Centre, University of Nairobi
Email: or
Tel: 0728 907 978
2. Prof. Eunice W. Mutitu
Department of Plant Science and Crop Protection
University of Nairobi
Email: or
Tel. Office – 020 – 318262,
Cell – 0722 305 866
3. Prof. John Kimenju
Dean Faculty of Agriculture
University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 29053
Email:
Cell – 0722 499 094
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