Dr. Koech Oscar Kipchirchir is a Kenyan national born on 25th July, 1985. He holds a Ph.D in Drylands Resource Management, MSc degree in Range Management and BSc degree in Range Management all from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.  He is currently a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology since 2012. He has also worked as researcher in various projects addressing climate change and adaptation in rangelands of Kenya. He has also worked as a consultant for various tasks on environmental conservation, rangeland management and food security and pastoral livelihoods in the horn of Africa. His field of specialization is dry land resource management: Livestock feed resources, livestock nutrition, environmental management and conservation. His interests are in the invasive species (Prosopis juliflora) in pastoral livestock production and climate change adaptation of livestock production systems mainly focusing on reducing methane emissions (CH4) from livestock feeding systems in the drylands. He has also done work on exploitation of native rangeland grasses as livestock feed resources in the drylands for sustainability. He has published a number of scientific papers in peer reviewed journals especially on Irrigated pastures, livestock feed resources, and environment. He can be contacted at: P.O Box 293053-00625, Nairobi, Kenya, cell +254 725 513 044. Email: okkoech@yahoo.com OR oscarkip@uonbi.ac.ke

https://profiles.uonbi.ac.ke/oscarkip/biocv

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Bio

Dr. Koech Oscar Kipchirchir

Dr. Koech Oscar Kipchirchir is a Kenyan national born on 25th July, 1985. He holds a Ph.D in Drylands Resource Management, MSc degree in Range Management and BSc degree in Range Management all from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.  He is currently a Lecturer at the University of Nairobi, Department of Land Resource Management and Agricultural Technology since 2012. He has also worked as researcher in various projects addressing climate change and adaptation in rangelands of Kenya.

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(Last updated: June 2, 2023)

Publications

2023

Kasai, YS, Nyangito M, Koech O.  2023.  Effects of grass-weed interactions on morpho-ecological traits and weeding benefits of range grasses in southern Kenya rangelands. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems . 26(048)

2022

Kisambo, BK, Wasonga OV, Koech OK, Karuku GN.  2022.  Morphological and productivity responses of Buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris) and Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) ecotypes to simulated grazing in a semi‐arid environment. Grassland Research. 1(4):290-300.
Wafula, WM, Wasonga OV, Koech OK, Kibet S.  2022.  Factors influencing migration and settlement of pastoralists in Nairobi City, Kenya. Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice. 12(1):1-14.

2021

Bone, G, Parr T, Brameld J, Elmes M, Gonzalez-Carranza Z, Koech O.  2021.  The effect of mezquite pod flour in a wheat-based diet on broiler chicken growth performance. Animal - Science proceedings. :77., University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK: Science Direct
Jirde, MI, Koech OK, Karuma AN.  2021.  An analysis of perceptions, knowledge, and management of rainwater harvesting (RWH) technologies among agropastoralists in Odwayne district, Somaliland.. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems. 24(3)

2020

Rotich, HK, Onwonga R, Koech O, Mbau J.  2020.  Projected Changes in Soil Organic Carbon Stocks over a 50-Year Period under Different Grazing Management Systems in Semi-Arid Grasslands of Kenya.. Journal of Rangeland Science. 10(4):1-10.
Kamau, HN, Koech OK, Mureithi SM, Wasonga OV, Gachene CKK.  2020.  Grass species for range rehabilitation: Perceptions of a pastoral community in Narok North sub-county, Kenya. African Journal of Agricultural Research. 16(8):1204-1212..grass_species_for_range_rehabilitation-_perceptions_of_a_2020.pdf

2019

Dorcas, K, Koech OK, Kinama J, Chemining’wa G, Ojulong HF.  2019.  Sorghum Production Practices In An Integrated Crop-Livestock Production System In Makueni County, Eastern Kenya. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems. 22:13-23.2019-_sorghum_production_practices-_dorcas.pdf

2018

Rotich, HK, Mbau JS, Onwonga R, Koech OK.  2018.  Vegetation Dynamics in Relation to Grazing Management Practices in Semi-arid Grazing Lands of Makueni County, Kenya. Journal of Rangeland Science. 8(3):227-238.
Rotich, HK, Onwonga R, Mbau JS, Koech OK.  2018.  Soil Organic Carbon Content and Stocks in Relation to Grazing Management in Semi-Arid Grasslands of Kenya. . Journal of Rangeland Science. 8(2)
Otieno, A, Karuku G, Raude J, Koech O.  2018.  Accumulation Of Nitrogen And Phosphorous By Vetiver Grass (Chrysopogon Zizanioides) In A Model Constructed Wetland Treatment System For Polishing Municipal Wastewater. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies . 22(4):291-298.

2017

Ombega, NJ, S. M. Mureithi, O. K. Koech, Karuma AN, Gachene CKK.  2017.  Effect of rangeland rehabilitation on the herbaceous species composition and diversity in Suswa catchment, Narok County, Kenya. Ecological Processes.
Ombega, NJ, Mureithi SM, Koech OK, Karuma AN, Gachene CKK.  2017.  Effect of rangeland rehabilitation on the herbaceous species composition and diversity in Suswa catchment, Narok County, Kenya.. Ecological Processes. 6(1):41.
Jawuoro, SO, Koech OK, Karuku GN, Mbau JS.  2017.  Organization and Performance of Water Resource Users’ associations in the Southern Rangelands of Kenya. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems. 20 (3):401–4011..
Otieno, AO, Karuku GN, Raude JM, Koech OK.  2017.  Effectiveness of the Horizontal, Vertical and Hybrid Subsurface Flow Constructed Wetland Systems in Polishing Municipal Wastewater.. Environmental Management and Sustainable Development. 6(2):158-173.
Jawuoro, SO, Koech OK, Karuku, G.N., Mbau JS.  2017.  Effect of piospheres on physio-chemical soil properties in the Southern Rangelands of Kenya. Ecological Processes. 6(1):14.effect_of_piospheres_on_physio-chemical_soil_properties_2017.pdf
Jawuoro, SO, Koech OK, Karuku GN, S MJ.  2017.  Plant species composition and diversity depending on piospheres and seasonality in the southern rangelands of Kenya. Ecological Processes, 6(1), 16.. 6(1):16.

2016

Angwere, OW, Koech OK.  2016.  ASSESSING THE EFFECT OF CHARCOAL PRODUCTION AND USE ON THE TRANSITION TO A GREEN ECONOMY IN KENYA. Tropical and Subtropical Agroecosystems. 19(2016):327-335.
Kuria, SG, Koech OK, Adongo AO, Mureithi S, Njoka JT, Kamande P.  2016.  Cost of production, marketing and revenue generation from somali camel breed in Isiolo and Marsabit counties of northern Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 28(12):1-7.cost_of_production_marketing_and_revenue_generation_from_somali_camel_breed_in_isiolo_and_marsabit_counties_of_northern_kenya.pdf
Koech, OK, Kinuthia RN, G.N. K, Mureithi SM, Wanjogu R.  2016.  Irrigation levels affects biomass yields and morphometric characteristics of range grasses in arid rangelands of Kenya. springerplus. 5(1):1-15.irrigation_levels_affects_biomass_yields_and_morphometric_characteristics_of_range_grasses_in_arid_rangelands_of_kenya-_springer_plus_koech_et_al_2016.pdf
Kuria, SG, Adongo AO, Murithi S, Koech OK, Njoka JT, Kamande P.  2016.  Acquisition and management of Somali camel breed for pastoral resilience within peri-urban Isiolo and Marsabit counties of Northern Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development. 28(172)acquisition_and_management_of_somali_camel_breed_for_pastoral_resilience_within_peri-urban_isiolo_and_marsabit_counties_of_northern_kenya.pdf
Onekon, WA, Kipchirchir KO.  2016.  Assessment of Consumer Awareness on Environmental Effects of Charcoal Production and Use in Nairobi City, Kenya. International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR). 5(6):1880-1886.assessment_of_consumers_awareness_on_environmental_effects____of_charcoal_production_and_use_is_nairobi_city_kenya.pdf
Koech, OK, Kinuthia RN, Karuku GN, Mureithi SM, Wanjogu R.  2016.  Field curing methods and storage duration affect the quality of hay from six rangeland grass species in Kenya. Ecological processes. 5(3):1-6.field_curing_methods_and_storage_duration_affect_the_quality_of_hay_from_six_rangeland_grass_species_in_kenya.pdf

2015

Koech, OK, Kinuthia RN, Karulu GN, Mureithi SM, Wanjogu R.  2015.  Water Stress Tolerance of Six Rangeland Grasses in the Kenyan Semi-arid Rangelands. American Journal of Agriculture and Forestry. 3(5):222-229.water_stress_tolerance_of_six_range_grasses_..._american_journal_of_agriculture_and_forestry.pdf
Koech, OK, Kinuthia RN, Karuku GN, Mureithi SM, Wanjogu R.  2015.  Water use efficiency of six rangeland grasses under varied soil moisture content levels in the arid Tana River County, Kenya. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 9(7):632-640.wue_koech_et_al_2015.pdf

2014

Koech, OK, Kinuthia RN, Mureithi SM, Karuku GN, Wanjogu R.  2014.  Effect of Different Soil Water Content and Seed Storage on Quality of Six Range Grasses in the Semi-Arid Ecosystems of Kenya. Environment and Ecology Research. 2(2):261-271.eer1-14002517-seed_quality.pdf
Koech, OK, Kinuthia RN, Mureithi SM, Karuku GN, WANJOGU RG.  2014.  Effect of Varied Soil Moisture Content on Seed Yield of Six Range Grasses in the Rangelands of Kenya. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research. 2(5):174-179.
KIPCHIRCHIR, KO, Kinuthia NR, Githaiga WR.  2014.  Use of Prosopis juliflora Seedpod as Livestock Feed Supplement in the Arid and Semi-arid Rangelands of Kenya. Science, Policy and Politics of Modern Agricultural System . , Netherlands: Springer book_chapter-springer_netherlands..pdf

2013

Kipchirchir, KO.  2013.  Food security: in the pastoral communities in arid and semi-arid lands of Africa. IRD MATTERS MAGAZINE. Spring 2013(7):7-8.ird_magazine_spring_2013-food_security_in_the_pastoral_communities_in_asal_of_africa.pdf

2011

Kipchirchir, Koech, O, Ngugi, Kinuthia R, Wahome RG.  2011.  Use of Dry Land Tree Species (Prosopis juliflora) Seed Pods as Supplement Feed for Goats in the Arid and Semi Arid Lands of Kenya.
KIPCHIRCHIR, KO, ADVISORS G, NGUGI SDRRK.  2011.  Adapting Livestock Production Systems to Climate Change (Livestock-Climate Change.
Kipchirchir, KO, Ngugi KR, Wahome RG.  2011.  Use of Dry Land Tree Species (Prosopis juliflora) Seed Pods as Supplement Feed for Goats in the Arid and Semi Arid Lands of Kenya. Environmental Research Journal. 5(2):66-73., Pakistan: Medwell journals AbstractWebsite

This study was conducted to determine the potential of incorporating Prosopis juliflora seed pods into typical dry land livestock production systems to minimize feed scarcity during the dry seasons and avoiding weight losses and poor performance. The study evaluated supplementation of weaner Galla goats with increasing amounts of Prosopis juliflora seedpods that is widely distributed in arid and semi arid areas of Kenya. This species is drought tolerant and with high productivity of seed pods whole year round. The overall aim of this study was therefore, to assess the feasibility of incorporating P. juliflora seedpods into a typical dry land livestock production system. The study further sought to find out the optimum supplementation level for improved performance. The experiment involved 20 weaner Galla goats of similar age (6 months) and weights (11-14 kg) which were randomly assigned to four treatments of 5 weaners each. The treatments were No P. juliflora (PJP0), 100 g/goat/day P. juliflora (PJP100), 200 g/goat/day P. juliflora (PJP200), 400 g/goat/day P. juliflora (PJP400). Supplementation involved providing the goats with their respective diets in the morning before mixed species range grass hay was offered as basal diet. The animals were weighed on weekly basis and weight gains calculated as difference in previous week’s weight and current week’s weight. The experiment lasted for 70 days. Overall, all the treatment groups exhibited higher average weekly weight gains than the control group throughout the experimental period. However, for the first 3 weeks, this was not statistically significant (p<0.05). From the 5th week up to the 10th week, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in the growth rates for the treatments except for the control group. Overall, treatment PJP200 exhibited highest total weight gain (3.960c) followed by PJP400 (2.700 kg). Group PJP0 had the lowest weight gain by the end of the experiment. The supplemented groups showed good weight gains, body condition and retained nitrogen levels compared to the un-supplemented groups.

2010

Koech, OK;, Kinuthia RN;, Wahome RG;, Choge SK;, Ekaya NW.  2010.  The importance of trees and shrubs as livestock feed in the arid and semi arid rangelands of Kenya: Case of Prosopis juliflora in Baringo district. Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the potential of integrating Prosopis juliflora in drylands livestock production where the tree is abundant and has been reported by the community to be a menace to their livelihoods. Despite these allegations, the tree has great potential as a source of livestock feed among other many uses that has not been fully exploited. The overall aim of this study was therefore, to assess the feasibility of incorporating Prosopis juliflora seedpods into a typical dryland livestock production system. The study further sought to evaluate the economic viability of supplementing the goats with Prosopis juliflora through cost benefit analysis and find out the optimum supplementation level for improved performance. The experiment involved 20 weaner Galla goats of similar age (6 months) and weights (11-14 kg) which were randomly assigned to four treatments of five weaners each. The treatments were; No P. juliflora (0PJP), 100 g/goat/day P. juliflora (100PJP), 200 g/goat/day P. juliflora (200PJP), 400g/goat/day P. juliflora (400PJP). Supplementation involved providing the goats with their respective diets in the morning before mixed species range grass hay was offered as basal diet. The animals were weighed on weekly basis and weight gains calculated as previous week’s weight and current week’s weight. The experiment lasted for 70 days. Overall, all the treatment groups exhibited higher average weekly weight gains than the control group throughout the experimental period. However, for the first 3 weeks, this was not statistically significant (P<0.05). From the fifth week up to the tenth week, there was significant difference (P<0.05) in the growth rates for the treatments except for the control group. Overall, treatment 200Pjp exhibited highest total weight gain (3.96kg), followed by 400Pjp (2.70kg). Group 0Pjp lost weight by the end of the experiment (-0.009kgs). The cost benefit analysis indicated that it is profitable to supplement the goats with 200g/ goat/day, which was the most cost effective with a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 1.50. The 100PJP was also cost effective but at a lower level BCR 0f 1.47. Treatment 400Pjp was not cost effective with BCR of 0.57, which is less than 1. It is therefore recommended that supplementation at optimum improves productivity.
Koech, OK, Kinuthia RN, Wahome RG, and Choge SK.  2010.  Effects of Prosopis juliflora Seedpod Meal Supplement on Weight Gain of Weaner Galla Goats in Kenya. Research Journal of Animal Sciences. 4(2):58-62. AbstractWebsite

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of increasing amounts of Prosopis juliflora seedpod meal on the growth rate of weaner Galla goats. The overall aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of incorporating Prosopis seedpods into a typical dryland livestock production system. Twenty weaner Galla goats of similar age (6 months) and weights (11-14 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatments of five weaners each. The treatments were T1 No Prosopis (control treatment), T2 (100g/goat/day Prosopis), T3 (200 g/goat/day Prosopis) and T4 (400 g/goat/day Prosopis). Prosopis contained 88.4% Dry Matter (DM), 18.5% Crude Protein (CP), 83.2% Organic Matter (OM), 51.8% Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF), 29.8% acid detergent fibre and 5.2% Ash. The experiment lasted for 70 days. Overall, all the treatment groups exhibited higher average weekly weight gains than T1 (control) throughout the experimental period. However for the first 3 weeks these differences were not statistically significant (p<0.05). From the 5th week on wards however, the differences in growth rates were statistically significant (p<0.05). Treatment T3 exhibited highest total weight gain (3.96 kg) followed by T4 (2.70 kg). Group T1 had lowest weight by the end of the experiment. This study demonstrated that Prosopis could be used as goats feed up to 200 g/goat/day giving good weight gains and no negative effects on feed intakes and digestibility.
o. K, K, R.N K, G WR, W. E.  2010.  Effects of supplementing mesquit ( Prosopis juliflora) seedpod meal on the performance of weaner Galla goats in the drylands of Keny, 20 - 24 Sept. Second RUFORUM Biennial Meetin. , Entebbe, Uganda Abstract

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of increasing amounts of Prosopis juliflora seedpod meal on the growth rate of weaner Galla goats. The overall aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of incorporating Prosopis seedpods into a typical dryland livestock production system. Twenty weaner
Galla goats of similar age (6 months) and weights (11-14 kg) were randomly assigned to four treatments of five weaners each. The treatments were T1 No Prosopis (control treatment), T2 (100 g /goat /day Prosopis), T3 (200 g /goat /day Prosopis), and T4 (400g /goat /day Prosopis). Prosopis contained 88.4%
dry matter (DM), 18.5% crude protein (CP), 83.2% organic matter (OM), 51.8% neutral detergent fibre (NDF), 29.8% acid detergent fibre and 5.2% Ash. The experiment lasted for 70 days. Overall, all the treatment groups exhibited higher average weekly weight gains than T1 (control) throughout the experimental period. However, for the first 3 weeks, these differences were not statistically significant (P<0.05). From the fifth week on wards, however, the differences in growth rates were statistically significant (P<0.05). Treatment T3 exhibited highest total weight gain (3.96 kg), followed by T4
(2.70kg). Group T1 lost weight by the end of the experiment. This study demonstrated that Prosopis could be used as goats feed up to 200g/goat/day giving good weight gains and no negative effects on feed intakes and digestibility.
Koech, OK.  2010.  Effects of Prosopis juliflora Seedpod Meal Supplement on Weight gain of Weaner Galla goats. , NAIROBI: UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI Abstractkoech_oscar_thesis.pdf

This study was conducted to determine the effect of increasing amounts of Prosopis juliflora
seedpod meal on the growth rate of weaner Galla goats. The overall aim of this study was to assess
the feasibility of incorporating Prosopis seedpods into a typical dryland livestock production
system. The study further sought to evaluate the economic viability of supplementing goats with
Prosopis seed pods and establish the optimum supplementation level for improved performance.
The experiment involved 20 weaner Galla goats of similar age (6 months) and weights (11-14 kg)
which were randomly assigned to four treatments of five weaners each. The treatments were T1 No
Prosopis (control treatment), T2 (100 g /goat /day Prosopis), T3 (200 g /goat /day Prosopis), and T4
(400g /goat /day Prosopis). Supplementation involved providing the goats with their respective
portions of Prosopis seedpod meal in the morning before the grass hay was offered. The animals
were weighed on weekly basis and the average weight gains calculated as the difference between
that weeks’ weight and the previous week’s weight divided by five. The experiment lasted for 70
days. Overall, all the treatment groups exhibited higher average weekly weight gains than T1
(control) throughout the experimental period. However, for the first 3 weeks, these differences
were not statistically significant (P<0.05). From the fifth week on wards, however, the differences
in growth rates were statistically significant (P<0.05). Overall, treatment T3 exhibited highest total
weight gain (3.96kg), followed by T4 (2.70kg). Group T1 lost weight by the end of the experiment
(-0.009kgs). The cost benefit analysis indicated that it is profitable to supplement the goats with
200g/goat/day, which was the most cost effective with a benefit cost ratio (BCR) of 1.50. T2 was
also cost effective, but at a lower level (RBC=1.47). Treatment T4 was not cost effective BCR
(0.57). It is therefore recommended that supplementation at optimum level of Prosopis seedpods
increases growth rates.

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