Department of Environmental Science and Education

Background Information
Established in 1991 as part of the then Faculty of Environmental Studies, the Department of Environmental Sciences boasts over 30 years of experience and expertise in scholarship, research and community service. In 2004, the School of Environmental Studies was established with the Department of Environmental Sciences as one of its four Departments. Other Departments were Environmental Education, Environment Community Development and Environmental Planning and Management. In 2019, the two Departments of Environmental Sciences and Environmental Education were merged to form the current Department of Environmental Sciences and Education (ENSED).
Currently, the ENSED department offers three (3) degree programmes: Bachelor of Environmental Sciences (ENS), Bachelor of Environmental Studies (Resource Conservation) (ERC) and Bachelor of Science (Environmental Education) (EED). The Department also offers post graduate degree programs as follows: Master of Environmental Science, Masters of Science (Environmental Education), Masters of Environmental Studies (Climate Change and Sustainability), Master Science (Sustainable Urban Development), Master of Environmental Studies (Agroforestry and Rural Development), Doctor of Philosophy (Environmental Science), Doctor of Philosophy (Environmental Education), Doctor of Philosophy (Climate change and Sustainability), Doctor of Philosophy (Agroforestry and Rural Development) and Doctor of Philosophy (Sustainable Urban Development)
Our graduates find employment in a wide range of organisations in both the private and public sectors. Majority of our graduates are certified and licensed EIA Lead Experts with the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and many others have made successful careers as local and global consultants in environmental sciences, resource conservation, environmental education, agroforestry, climate change and sustainability, sustainable urban development, renewable energy, blue economy, green economy and other related disciplines.
Internal Links
The Department of Environmental Sciences and Education is one of the inaugural departments in the School of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences. The school currently has a total of four departments.

External Links
The Department of Environmental Science and Education has formal links with the Regional Centre for Mapping Resources for Development (RCMRD), Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), and the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), The Nile Basin Initiative, United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP), African Plant Nutrition Institute (APNI), World Agroforestry Centre (WAC/ formerly ICRAF), Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KARLO), International Centre for Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) and CIAT.

Research activities
Postgraduate students have conducted research with their supervisors in the areas of: water pollution, air pollution, waste management, agroforestry, aquatic ecology, renewable and non-renewable energy resources, environmental economics, ecotourism, integrated soil fertility, indigenous knowledge systems, hydrology, dryland agriculture, climate change and sustainability, climate change adaptation & mitigation, sustainable urban development among others.
Staff members are carrying out research in the following broad areas:
Agrometeorology, hydrology, pollution, waste management, energy systems, environmental impact assessment, agroforestry, integrated soil fertility, aquatic ecology, marine ecosystems, management of arid and semi arid lands, ecotourism among others.

The Department of Environmental Sciences and Education has the following programmes:

Specializations

The Department of Environmental Sciences has 20 members who are PhD holders and comprise of 1 Full Professor, 2 Associate professors, 4 senior lecturers and 13 lecturers. The staff members have qualifications in the following areas:

• Pollution monitoring and control
• Energy Resources Management
• Water Resources Management
• Aquatic and Terrestrial Ecology
• Forestry Resources Management
• Agroforestry
• Soil Science
• Mining and Rehabilitation
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• Environmental Policy and Law
• Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Development
• Meteorology
• Environmental Information Systems
• Environmental Education
• Environmental and Natural Resource Economics
• Climate Change and adaptation

Academic Staff

The emerging environmental issues linked to Kenya’s resource ecology include: loss of biodiversity, forest degradation, desertification, soil erosion, land degradation, water pollution, eutrophication, wetland reclamation, introduction of alien invasive species and climate change. In most of these issues, the root causes are unemployment and poverty which have been described as the twin challenges of Kenya’s sustainable development. In seeking solution to some of the problems, it is important to address their root causes and not just their symptoms. Other issues of special concern related to the conservation of natural resources and human health are growing disease problems, threats of unintended gene transfers and waste disposal.

Apart from the separated issues reviewed here, one significant broad result of the Rio process and Agenda 21 been the growing recognition that all different aspects of sustainable development are interrelated, and only integrated approaches will make it possible to approach sustainability. New evidence since Rio shows that these interrelationships also apply to global environmental problems, such as those for which international conventions have adopted. There are significant interactions between climate change, ozone depletion, desertification and biodiversity loss, for instance, requiring greater attention to synergistic effects between these problems, and integrate approaches to research, assessment and management.

The Department of Environmental Sciences therefore, endeavours to produce highly qualified professionals with knowledge, requisite skills and motivation to participate adequately in environmental development of the nation and beyond.

Career
Graduates are employed in a variety of places both in public and private sectors. They are mainly absorbed in the;
• Ministry of Environment, Water and \natural Resources
• Ministry of Health
• Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure
• Ministry of Energy and Petroleum
• Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries
• Ministry of Mining
• County Governments
• NEMA
• ICRAF, UNEP, UN habitat, IUCN, KWS, PA, KEFRI:
Collaborative research, exchange and sharing of information, student attachments in all the above organization.

Resources
In addition to the highly qualified staff, the Department has two laboratory, where some analyses of chemical and biological parameters can be done. A computer laboratory of the School, with internet access is also available to students. More specialized analyses are conducted in collaborating laboratories.
Doctoral programmes are by thesis only and are normally for a duration of three years of full time study, and five years of part time study.

Certificate

CERTIFICATE IN ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT , AUDITING AND MONITORING

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Vision statement
The vision of the Department of Environmental Sciences and Education is to be a robust and competitive Centre of excellence in teaching, learning, consultancy and research in environmental sciences, climate change, natural resources and environmental education.

Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Environmental Science and Education is to provide highly relevant and cutting-edge programmes and engagements in teaching, learning, consultancy and research. The Department also takes pride in promoting intellectual rigour, creativity and values, essential for achieving sustainability and inclusivity locally, regionally and globally.

Objectives
The Objectives of Department of Environmental Sciences and Education are to:

Develop, promote and expand University education in environmental sciences and education through initiation of new programs and alternative modes of delivery including the use of modern technology.
Participation in research, dissemination and presentation of environmental sciences and education knowledge for both academic and societal development.
Nurture excellence and high standards of professionalism in research, teaching, learning and community service in the area of environment.
Provide equal opportunities for those qualifies to pursue environmental sciences and education at university level education.
Adopt and apply quality assurance practices in planning, implementation and evaluation of teaching and research in environmental sciences and education
Ensure the promotion and development of student’s welfare for the attainment of academic excellence in environmental science and education.
Provide and use facilities in collaboration with other approved institutions to enhance access to environmental sciences and education at University level.

SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES AND EDUCATION

P.0.Box 43844, NAIROBI, KENYA

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Tel/Ext: (254) (2) 10901-12 Ext. 3808

SERVICE DELIVERY CHARTER

SERVICE PROVIDED	CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS	CHARGES/ COST (Kshs.)	TIME	RESPONSIBILITY
Unit Teaching	Lecture Halls	Free	Semester dates	Lecturers
Lab Practical’s	Environmental Labs, Lab Equipment and Chemicals	Free	Semester dates	Lab Technicians
Administration of CATs for each Unit	Attendance of Lectures	Free	Semester dates	Lecturers
Marking of Examinations	Completed exam scripts	Free	2 weeks	Lecturers
Moderation of Exam Questions	Marked Exam scripts	Free	1 day	Lecturers/Examination Committee
Students Placement/Practicum Attachment and Supervision	Field Report Making, Introductory letters Field Supervisors	Free	3 months	Dr Gladys Gathuru Dr. Esther Kitur Ms. Zipporah Rimbui
Curriculum Design, Development and Revision	Programmes documents	Free	Continuous	Chairperson (Prof. Monica Muna)/ Curriculum Development Committee
Public Relation, Customer Care		Free	Continuous	Chairperson/Secretary
Short listing of students applications for Admission	Fully completed application forms	Free	One week	Chairperson ( Prof. Monica Muna)
Short listing of Applicants for Advertised Courses	Application Document	Free	One week	Chairperson ( Prof. Monica Muna)
Unit Registration	Unit Registration Form	Free	Two weeks	Chairperson ( Prof. Monica Muna)
Units Adjustment	Unit Adjustment Form	Free	One day	Chairperson ( Prof. Monica Muna)
Examination Result Queries	Missing Marks Unit Form	Free	Two weeks	Exam Co-ord (Dr. Ezekiel Ndunda)

Students’ proposal approval for Graduate School Registration	Developed proposal by the student and having defended at Department level	Free	One month	Chairperson (Prof. Monica Muna)/Departmental Post Graduate Board
Departmental Board Meeting	Academic staff members	Free	Semester Dates	Chairperson ( Prof. Monica Muna)
Field Trips	Registered Students Lecturer/Lab Technician Transport Availability	Free	Once per semester	Dr. Geoffrey Macharia
Recommendation/Introductory Letters/Confirmation of Units covered	Student’s request, Student’s ID	Free	1-2 Days	Chairperson ( Prof. Monica Muna)

WE ARE COMMITED TO COURTESY AND EXCELLENCE IN SERVICE DELIVERY

Any service rendered that does not conform to the above service standards or any officer who does not live up to the commitment of courtesy and excellence in service delivery should be reported to:

Prof. Monica Mucheru-Muna

Environmental Sciences & Education

Tel. +(254) (2) 10901-12 Ext. 3808

0711986788

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Vice-Chancellor

Kenyatta University

P.O Box 43844-00100

Nairobi

Tel. +254 20 8703858

Mobile +254 710890005

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Chairman's office is located in the 8.4.4 Building Complex, First Floor Room Number 81
Phone No. 020-8703808/020-8703001/020-8704000

0208703809- Chair
0208703808- Secretary for External
EXT 3809 - Chair
EXT 3808- Secretary for Internal Users

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Department of Environmental Science and Education

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