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DR IRENE THIGUKU KAMANJA

OffLine
Staff Information
PERSONAL DETAILS
Designation
LECTURER
Corporate Email
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Job Category
Teaching
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Directorate / Dept
DEPT OF VET. PUBLIC HEALTH, PHARMACOLOGY & TOXICOLOGY
Section
NJORO
Address
P.O.BOX 2133 20300 NYAHURURURU
SUMMARY

Dr. Irene Kamanja is a Veterinary Pharmacologist and Toxicologist with over 30 years of experience in academia, veterinary public service, research, and institutional leadership. She holds a PhD in Pharmacology and Toxicology and has extensive experience in teaching, postgraduate supervision, and scholarly research in veterinary pharmacology and toxicology.

She currently serves as Chairperson of the Department of Public Health, Pharmacology and Toxicology at Egerton University. Her academic leadership experience includes curriculum development and review, quality assurance, ethics review, and governance at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Dr Kamanja has supervised MSc and PhD candidates and contributed to peer-reviewed research in medicinal plants, toxicology, aflatoxin control, animal nutrition, and agricultural policy.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

 

  • 2010-2014, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Pharmacology & Toxicology
    University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • 2003-2007, Master of Science (MSc), Applied Veterinary Parasitology
    University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • 1987-1993, Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine (BVM)
    University of Nairobi, Kenya
  • 1984-1985, Kenya Advanced Certificate of Education (KACE)
    Alliance Girls High School
  • 1980-1983, Kenya Certificate of Education (KCE), Division I
    Alliance Girls High School
  • 1973-1979, Certificate of Primary Education (CPE)

Mutuma Primary School

FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION

Pharmacology and Toxicology:

Dr. Irene Kamanja’s primary area of specialization is ethnopharmacology, with additional research focus on drug residues, a critical field in advancing antimicrobial resistance mitigation and the One Health approach. Her scholarly work has contributed to peer-reviewed publications addressing medicinal plants, toxicology, aflatoxin control, animal nutrition, and agricultural policy.

:

 

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
  • 2023, Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) Training
    FEDCOS, Egerton University
  • 2023, Faculty Exchange Programme (Curriculum Development & Review)
    Tuskegee University, Alabama, USA
  • 2022, Master Teacher Training Programme (Pedagogy)
    Virginia Tech–Maryland University, USA
  • 2011, Strategic Leadership Development Programme
    Kenya Institute of Administration
  • 2006, Computer Applications Training
    Laikipia University
  • 1987, National Youth Service (NYS) Basic Training

Gilgil Women NYS Camp 

WORK EXPERIENCE
  • 2017 to date, Chairperson, Department of Public Health, Pharmacology & Toxicology
    Egerton University
  • 2015 to date, Lecturer, Egerton University, Department of Veterinary Public Health, Pharmacology & Toxicology
  • 2023 to date, Veterinary Medicine Directorate, Board Member,
  • 2017 to date, Member, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery,  Faculty Management Board
  • 2021-2023, Chairperson, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Faculty Curriculum Development & Review Committee
  • 2018 to date, Member, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Faculty Quality Assurance Board
  • 2018-2023, Member, Egerton University, Institutional Ethics Committee
  • 2018, Member, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Ad-hoc Committee for Short Courses
  • 2018, Member, , Kenya Veterinary Board, Ad-hoc Examinations Committee
  • 2012-2015: Sub-County Veterinary Officer, Subukia Sub-County
    Nakuru County Government
  • 2009-2015: Assistant Director of Veterinary Services
  • 2008-2009: Principal Director of Veterinary Services
  • 2007-2012: Lecturer, Animal Health Industrial Training Institute (AHITI)
  • 1997-2007: Head of Section, Artificial Insemination, Clinics & Dips
    Nyandarua District
  • 1994-1997: Divisional Veterinary Head, Mbooni Division
    Makueni District
  • 1994: Assistant Lecturer, Meru Institute of Science & Technology
  • 1994: Untrained Teacher (Chemistry), Thaita Secondary School
  • 1993: Untrained Teacher (Chemistry), Muchonoke Secondary School

· 1992-1993: Private Veterinary Practitioner

KEY PROJECTS

Ongoing Research Project:

 

Beyond Detection: A Holistic Approach to Addressing Meat Drug Residues in Kenya:

Dilip Reddy Gunturu, Irene Thiguku Kamanja, Paul Odhiambo Ayieko.

RESEARCH INTERESTS
  • Antimicrobial Resistance (One Health Approach)
  • Alternative Medicine(Ethnomedicine)
  • Environmental Toxicology

· Drug Residues in Livestock Products

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
  1. Kamanja I.T., Githigia S.M., Muchemi, G.M., Mwandawiro, C. (2011). Survey of Schistosoma bovisin cattle in Kwale District, Kenya. Bulletin of Animal Health Production of Africa 59(2) 161-68
  1. Kamanja, I.T., Mbariaa, J.M., Gathumbi. P.K., Kiama, S.G. Mbaabu Mathiu, Adamson L Lanyasunya, Daniel Gakuya, John David Kabasa. (2015). Medicinal plants used in the management of sexually transmitted infections among the Samburu County, Kenya. International Journal of Pharmaceutical Research.72:44-52.
  1. Kamanja, I.T., Mbaria, J.M., Gathumbi. P.K., Kiama, S.G. (2018). Cytotoxicity of selected medicinal plant extracts using brine shrimp lethality assay.The Journal of Medical Research 4(5):249-255. DOI:: 10.31254/jmr.2018.4511
  1. Maina M.R., Mbaria J.M., Kamanja I.T., Moriasi G. (2023). Acute oral toxicity and cognitive-enhancing efficacy of Launaea cornuta. Heliyon 9 (2023) e15487
  1. Duncan Maina Wanjohi, Anthony Macharia King'ori,Irene Kamanja,Mary Ambula

Effect of fermented and enzyme-treated Prosopis juliflora pod meal diets on carcass quality and organ weights in broilers ( 2024) International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry 9(5):494-499.DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2024.v9.i5h.1758

6. DM Wanjohi, MK Ambula, AM King’ori and IT Kamanja (2024). Effect of substituting maize in broiler diet with fermented and enzyme-treated Prosopis juliflora pod meal on growth performance. International Journal of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry 9(5):487-493

DOI: 10.22271/veterinary.2024.v9.i5h.1757

  1. Wanjohi, D. M., King’ori, A. M., Ambula, M. K. & Kamanja, I. T. (2025). Impact of Fermentation and Enzyme-Treatment on  In-vitro Dry Matter Digestibility, Proximal Chemical Composition, Amino Acids and Tannin Content of Prosopis juliflora Pod Meal. East African Journal of Agriculture and Biotechnology, 8(1), 243-257. https://doi.org/10.37284/eajab.8.1.2936
  1. Daniel Nyukuri Kwoba, James Mucunu Mbaria, Isaac Mpapuluu Mapenay, Irene Thiguku Kamanja, John Nduhiu Gitahi (2025). Long-term influence of agricultural training on aflatoxin levels. Journal of Agricultural Policy. 8(2):30-45 DOI: 10.47941/jap.2898

 9. D.N. Daniel Nyukuri Kwoba, James Mucunu Mbaria, Isaac Mpapuluu Mapenay, Irene Thiguku Kamanja, Penina Ateku (2025). Impact of Good Agricultural Practices training in Nandi County. Journal of Agricultural Policy.8(2):15-29. DOI: 10.47941/jap.2695Amuok, E., & M’Merimba, C. (2021). Litter processing of Exotic and Indigenous leaves in Njoro River, Kenya. Egerton Journal of Science and Technology, 17(1-139), 132–147. Retrieved from https://eujournal.egerton.ac.ke/index.php/EJ/article/view/48

CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

Prescription Writing(2025). Kenya Veterinary Association Central Branch Scientific Conference held in Makuyu Muranga on, March 20th - 21st  2025

Fish Farming and the World Organisation for Animal Health(OIE) (2025). Kenya Veterinary Association Central Branch, Scientific Conference held in Makuyu, Muranga on 20th - 21st March, 2025.

HONORS, PRIZE AND AWARDS

 . Recognition by the Vice Chancellor, Egerton University for attracting funds to the University: Research funds and Consultancy funds..

TEACHING AREAS

Postgraduate

  • PHPT 711: Advanced Pharmacology
  • PHPT 721: Advanced Toxicology
  • PHPT 731: Applied Biostatistics
  • PHPT 732: Research Methods and Scientific Communication
  • PHPT 741: Pharmaceutics and Therapeutics
  • PHPT 701: Drugs Design Development and Regulations
    • PHPT 722: Enviromental Toxicology
  • PHPT 723:Forensic Toxicology
  • PHPT 733: Advanced Analytical Techniques
  • PHPT 751: Ethnopharmacology

 

Undergraduate

  • VMED 332: Veterinary Pharmacology
  • VMED 333: Veterinary Pharmacy and Pharmaceutics
  • VMED 334:Veterinary Toxicology
  • ANHE 320: Pharmacology

· ANHE 325: Toxicology

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
MASTERS LEVEL :

MASTERS LEVEL:

Completed

1. University of Nairobi

  • Mercy Risper Maina
    Cognitive-enhancing activity, phytochemical screening and toxic effects ofLaunaea cornuta aqueous extract in mice
  • Other Supervisors: James M. Mbaria, Gervason Moriasi
  • Daniel Nyukuri Kwoba
    Role of Good Agricultural Practices on aflatoxin levels of maize in Nandi County, Kenya
  • Other Supervisors: Prof James M. Mbaria, Dr. Isaac Mpapuluu Ole-Mapenay

Ongoing

  • Elias Wafula : Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
    Determination of LD₅₀ ofNaja ashei venom in BALB/c mice via IP, SC and IM routes

Other Supervisors: Prof Joseph Gikunju

PhD. LEVEL :

Completed

  • Duncan Wanjohi (Completed) Egerton University
    Evaluation of fermented and enzyme-treatedProsopis juliflora pod meal as a substitute for maize in broiler diets:
  • Other Supervisors:Prof. M.K. Ambula, Prof. A.M.  King’ori
OTHER SOCIETIES
  •  Registered and maintained by KVB,  No. 1483
  •  Member of Kenya Veterinary Association  (KVA) Central branch. No. KVA/Central/205
  •  Member of Toxicological Society of Kenya
  •  Board Member of Veterinary Medicine Directorate
  •  Member of Faculty Management Board
  • Chairperson of Faculty Curriculum Development and Review
  •  Adhoc Committee for short term courses
  •  Adhoc committee for Examinations at KVB board
  •  Member Egerton University Institutional Ethics Committee
  •  Faculty Board member Quality Assurance Board
  •  Board Member at National Quality Control Laboratory  under PPB
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