Kisii University | 
Dr. Lydiah Mbula Kitonga
COD Agricultural Sciences
Dr. Lydiah Mbula Kitonga Bio
Lecturer of Horticulture
School Of Agriculture and Natural Resource Management
Biography:
Dr Kitonga is a lecturer of Horticultural/Plant Science and Production at Kisii University and is currently the Chair of the Department of Agricultural Sciences and school E-learning champion. She has extensive experience in academics, Research, Extension, community outreach and youth training, collaborations, consultancy, Policy Development and Leadership in Kisii and Nyamira Counties and beyond. She has been involved in various farmer CBOs and ENABLE Youth Kenya trainings, mentorship, postgraduate guidance, scholarly publications, conference presentations, and research in nitrogen fertilizer management, farm well water quality, food security, smart agriculture and green infrastructure. Her professional membership includes the Society of Ethnobotany, Horticultural Association of Kenya, Kenya Horticultural Society and Society of Crop Agribusiness Advisors.
Academic Qualifications:
2018. PhD Egerton University 2018. Thesis: Nitrogen Loading and Groundwater Contamination: Comparison Among Different Farm Sizes in Ainabkoi Sub-County, Uasin Gishu County, Kenya. Research work: Environmental impact of Nitrogen management strategies in Horticultural and agronomical production for application in sustainable agriculture.
2003. M.S. Natural Resource and Environmental Science: University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign. GPA =3.8/4. Thesis: ‘SPAD-Chlorophyll’, Leaf Chlorophyll and Leaf Nitrogen Relationships in Sweet Corn. Application: Growers can directly monitor and assess real-time plant nitrogen (N) status hence improving the nitrogen use efficiency.
2001 Mphil. Seed Science and Technology, Moi University, Kenya. Thesis: Studies on the Effect of Seed Osmotic Pre-sowing Treatments on Germination and Performance of Selected Soybean and Okra Varieties. Application: Growers can achieve higher and faster germination and emergence percentages with limited soil moisture.
1995 B.Sc. Horticulture, (First class Honors) Egerton University, Kenya.
Research Interests:
Dr Lydiah Kitonga’s research interests include nitrogen fertilizer management, for sustainable Agriculture and groundwater Quality, African indigenous Vegetables, Green infrastructure/Horticultural therapy, and Bambara nut production for food security and societal well-being. She is a team member in the Participatory Action Research Group On ‘Transforming Universities for a Changing Climate’ funded by the UK Research and Innovation, (UKRI), Global Challenges Research Fund (GCRF) under Education for Sustainable Development and led by University College London. She is currently the project lead in the USDA funded project: ‘Enhancing African Women Farmers’ Capacity to Participate in School Meals Value Chain’ which is a collaboration between Kisii University and the University of Minnesota.
Publications:
• Hyvonne W. Kemunto, Agnes O. Nkurumwa, Lydiah M. Kitonga. 2024. Does the Farm Size Influence the Commercial Production of African Indigenous Vegetables? A Study on Smallholder Farmers in Bobasi Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. International Journal of Agricultural Extension 12 (02) 2024. 239-251. DOI: 10.33687/ijae.012.002.5125
• Kitonga Lydiah Mbula 2024. Are There Co-Benefits Of Workplace Green Infrastructure And Employee Quality Of Worklife, Mental Well-Being, And Job Satisfaction? International Conference On Psychology and Mental Health. Kabarak University Kenya Theme: Mental Health: A Fundamental Right For All: Environmental Emerging And Re-Emerging Issues In Mental Health 16th-18th October 2024
• Omasaki, S., Mutili, M. M., & Kitonga, L. (2024). Proximate Composition of Some Fish Feed Samples for Small-scale Aquaculture Farmers in Bobasi Sub-County, Kisii County, Kenya. Asian Journal of Biology, 20(6), 52–59. https://doi.org/10.9734/ajob/2024/v20i6414
• Mukholi Gabriel Tenesi and Kitonga Lydiah Mbula. 2023. The Competitiveness of Tomato Value Chain, Kenya. The International Journal of Science & Technoledge 11:7. DOI No.: 10.24940/theijst/2023/v11/i7/ST2307-010. Issn 2321 – 919x.
• Kitonga, L.M., Moturi, W.N., Mwonga, S.M. and Taabu, I. (Deceased) 2022.
Sanitary Survey of Shallow Wells within Farms in Ainabkoi Sub-County, UASIN Gishu County Kenya Kisii. University London Journal of Research in Science: Natural and Formal 22:9. Compilation 1.0. DDC Code: 529.43 LCC Code: AY751P Copyright ID: 925691
• Kitonga, L.M., Moturi, W.N., Mwonga, S.M. and Taabu, 2018 I. Assessment of physico-chemical characteristics of groundwater among different farm sizes in Ainabkoi sub-county, Uasin Gishu county, Kenya. African Journal of Environmental Science and Biotechnology, 12:8.
• Kitonga L. M and Mulwa, R. M. 2012. The effect of osmotic conditioning on the rate of germination and emergence of okra seeds (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench). Presentation at 6th Egerton University International Conference: Research Expo. 26th-28th September, 2012
• Gichangi A, Maobe S.N., Karanja D., Getabu A., Macharia C.N, Ogecha, J.O., Nyang’au M.K., Basweti E., and Kitonga L. 2012. Assessment of production and marketing of climbing beans by smallholder farmers in Nyanza region, Kenya. World journal of Agricultural Sciences 8(3): 293-302.
• Kitonga L. M. and Mulwa R.M.S., 2011. Use of SPAD chlorophyll meter nitrogen assessment in sweet corn. Proceedings 6th Egerton University International Conference: Research Expo. 21st-23rd September, 2011
• Mwanza-Kitonga L.M., Swiader J. and Mulwa R. M. 2011. Evaluation of SPAD Chlorophyll fluorescence for onsite Nitrogen assessment in drip fertigated sweet corn. Journal of Applied Horticulture. Vol.13 (1).
• Mulwa, R.M.S. and Mwanza, L.M. 2006. Biotechnology approaches to developing herbicide selectivity in crops. African Journal of Biotechnology, vol. 5(5), pp. 396-404. (An invited authoritative review)
• Kitonga, L.M., Moturi, W.N. and Mwonga, S.M. and Taabu, I.
Impact of Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Groundwater Nitrate and Ammonium Concentration in Different Farm Systems in Ainabkoi, Uasin Gishu County. Kenya. Proceedings of the 2nd Biennial International Conference On Enhancing Sustainabale Agricultural Production And Marketing Systems Through Science, Technology And Innovations Held Between 29th November To 2nd December 2016
• Kitonga L.M. 2011. Use Of SPAD Chlorophyll Meter for Nitrogen Assessment in Sweet Corn.
Paper presented at the 6th Egerton university international conference and expo. 2011
• Kitonga L.M. 2012. Effect of Osmotic conditioning on the rate of germination and emergence of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus (L) Moench) seeds. Paper presented at the 7th Egerton university international conference and expo held September 26th-28th 2012
• Kitonga, L.M. & Mwanza, S.M. 2022. Opportunities for Horticultural Therapy in Kenya. Lydiah Kitonga & Stephen Mulwa Mwanza Paper presented at 1st International Kenya Universities Professional Counsellors’ Association Conference geld on 16-18th November 2022
Classes Taught:
HORT 111: Principles and Practices of Horticulture
HORT 331: General vegetable production
HORT 342: Fruit production
HORT 261: Floriculture
AGRO 391 Agricultural Experimentation
Other relevant links:
Google Scholar Profile: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=W12iR5EAAAAJ&hl=en
Research Gate Profiles: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lydia-Kitonga-2?ev=hdr_xprf&_sg=XH5Pd40zDNu8u2vGMplQrOoOUHNDwcDe4PQ04SiCeExNfJaShiWF2F8Vz5TFn3oKlPBVic0saDWO4mE7QB2vPTrf
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5804-3201
Official Contact Details: lydiakitonga@kisiiuniversity.ac.ke