Kenya
EDUCATION
B.S. in Natural Resources Management (Forestry option),
Egerton University, 1995. (Kenya)
M.S. in Environmental studies (Human Ecology),
Moi University, 2000. (Kenya)
Ph.D. in Environmental Studies (Human Ecology),
Moi University, 2010. (Kenya)
TEACHING
- Course at SFS: Environmental Policy and Socioeconomic Issues
- Courses currently: Introduction to Human Ecology, Principles of Human Ecology, Human Ecology or Agriculture and Wetlands, Civil Societies, environment and Development, Poverty environment and Development, Participatory methods in Social Studies
FACULTY PROFILE
Dr. Ekisa was born on the 13th December 1969 in
I have worked with two international NGOs namely: Plan International and International Child Support (ICS).
RESEARCH INTERESTS
My research interest has been community participation in environmental conservation and development. I have worked on two postgraduate projects both targeting community participation. My interests emanate from the fact that without participation of the target communities’ environmental conservation is not achievable so is sustainable development.
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Projects prior to SFS
Community Participation in Afforestation and Agroforestry Programmes in
Socio-economic and Cultural aspects for community participation in Afforestation and Agroforestry Programmes. A case study of
PhD Abstract:
While it is now generally agreed that the role and participation of communities in development projects as well as the integration of environmental aspects in community development projects are critical to the latter’s sustainability, these aspects have often been overlooked by development agencies. Added to the general lack of organizational capacities among many CBOs, this has not only constrained the emergence of CBOs as community development vehicles but also led to a lack of sustainability of development programmes. The results revealed that projects implemented in sub-locations with CBOs, compared to those without, indicated a high level of sustainability. In particular, income generating projects were found to be self-sustaining. The sustainability of projects could be attributed to the activities of CBOs, especially mobilization of resources, both internally and externally. Factors that enhanced the role of CBOs in project sustainability included their organizational structures, especially the presence of the management committees; members’ contributions towards development projects; capacity building; and sourcing for external donors. However, in some instances, some CBO members failed to contribute towards projects for various reasons. It was apparent from the study that the concept of environment was the missing link between the community itself and the development practitioners in the community. Environmental issues were not integrated in the programmes in early stages of project planning. However, in the course of the study, community training modules in environmental aspects were developed and successfully implemented. This paved the way for mainstreaming environmental aspects into community development, as was reflected in the changes in project priorities in favour of environmentally friendly projects. The study firstly recommends the government to involve the community through CBOs in all community based development programmes. Secondly, the adoption and replication of the integrative community development model to various communities as a tool in project planning. Lastly, research on testing and replication of the integrative community development model to various communities as a tool for project planning.
