CURRICULUM VITAE

Personal Details
Full Names GICHANGI Elias Maina
Nationality Kenyan
Date of Birth 23rd September 1962
Marital status Married
Occupation Research
Current employer Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
Present designation Research officer
Specialization Soil Fertility and Plant Nutrition
Research Programme Soil and water Management Research

Contact Address
Kenya Agricultural Research Institute P.O. Box 340-90100 Machakos, Kenya
E-mail: gichangim@yahoo.com
REFEREES
Prof. C.C.K. Gachene (Chairman)
Department of Soil Science, University of Nairobi
P.O. Box 30197, Nairobi, Kenya.
Tel. 254-20-631643,
Prof. P. C. Brookes
Agriculture and Environment Division, Rothamsted Research,
Harpenden, Herts AL5 2JQ UK.
Phone number: +44 1582 763133 Ext 2672
Fax number: +44 1582 760981
E-mail: philip.brookes@bbsrc.ac.uk

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Académie Qualification

University Discipline Degree awarded From To

(Yr.) (Yr.)
Department of Soil Science PhD (Soil Science) thesis under examination 2004 2007
Agronomy, Thesis title
University of Fort
Hare, (South Enhancing phosphorus availability in some
Africa) phosphate fixing soils of the Transkei region, South
Africa using goat manure

Promoters, Profs. PN.S. Mnkeni, University of

Fort Hare (South Africa) and P.C. Brookes,
Rothamsted Research Station (UK)
Department of Soil Soil Science MSc (Soil Science), May 2004 2000 2003
Science, University
of Nairobi Part I. Course Work Grade
(Kenya). Soil chemistry and Mineralogy, Soil B
Technology, Soil Conservation,
Irrigation and Drainage,

Soil Fertility and Fertilizer use, Soil B

Organisms and Soil Biochemistry,

Soil Genesis and Morphology, Soil B

Survey and Classification,

Crop Physiology and Ecology, Soil A

Physics
B
Statistics and field Experimentation

Thesis title
Enhancing manure quality using agro-
organic wastes in the Central Kenyan
Highlands.

Promoters, Profs. N.K. Karanja

University of Nairobi, (Kenya) and C.W.
Wood, Auburn University (USA).
Department of Land BApp.Sc. Rural Technology Second class Honors 1990 1992
Agriculture and Resource (Division A), May, 1992
Soils, University of Management Dissertation:
Queensland
(Australia), The phenological development and grain yield
of two sorghum cultivars planted at three
sowing dates at Lawes, (1991).
Promoter, Dr. C.J. Birch, University of
Queensland (Australia),

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Professional Qualifications

Institution Certificate/ Diploma Skills attained Year Duration

Micrologic Certificate in Ms office Ms Word 1998 2 weeks
Computer Training Ms Excel
Institute (Kenya). Ms Power point
KARI/Crop Certificate of Participation On-farm Experimental 1999 3 weeks
Management Design and Computerised
Research Training Analysis of Statistical
Project (Kenya) Data

Computer skills
• Ms Word
• Ms Excel
• Ms Powerpoint
• Genstat Statstical Package

Awards.
Course award for the outstanding achievement in Bachelor of Applied Science (Rural Technology), May
1992, University of Queensland, Australia.

Prizes
1. Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, Australia. Prize for the highest
achievement in Bachelor of Applied Science (Rural Technology), May 1991.
2. Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland, Australia. Prize for the highest
achievement throughout Bachelor of Applied Science (Rural Technology), May 1992.

PUBLICATIONS
Journal Papers
1. Gichangi, E.M. N.K. Karanja & C. W. Wood. 2006. Composting cattle manure from zero grazing
systems with agro-organic wastes to minimise nitrogen losses in smallholder farms in Kenya. Tropical
and Subtropical Agroecosystems, 6: 57-64.
2. Karanja, N.K., E. M. Gichangi & C. W. Wood. 2005. Simulation study to assess the potential of selected
agro-organic wastes for ability to reduce N volatilization from cow manure. Tropical and Subtropical
Agroecosystems, 5: 25-31
3. Gichangi, E. M., Mnkeni, P. N. S., & Muchaonyerwa, P. 2006. Estimation of phosphate sorption
characteristics and requirements for some soils of Transkei, South Africa (submitted to S. Afr. J. plant &
Soil).
4. Gichangi, E. M. & Mnkeni, P. N. S. 2006. The effects of goat manure addition on phosphate sorption
characteristics of two selected soils from the Transkei region, South Africa. (submitted to the S. Afr. J.
Plant & Soil).
Referred Proceedings
1. Ikombo, B.M., Nguluu, S.N. & Gichangi, E.M. (1998). On-farm experimentation of improved soil
fertility management practices and model application in the semi-arid areas of Eastern Kenya. In:
Okwach, G.E. and Siambi, M.M (Eds). Agricultural Resource Management for Sustainable Cropping in
Semi-Arid Eastern Kenya. CARMASAK Proceedings No.1. ISBN 9966-879-33-1.
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2. Gichangi E.M., Karanja N.K. & Wood C.W. 2006. Managing manure heaps with agro-organic wastes
and cover to reduce nitrogen losses during storage on smallholder farms. In: Bationo, A., Waswa, B.,
Kihara, J. and Kimetu, J. (eds). Advances in integrated soil fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa:
Challenges and Opportunities. (in press)
3. Gichangi E.M., Njiru E.N., Itabari J.K., Wambua J.M., Maina J.N. & Karuku A. 2006: Assessment of
improved soil fertility and water harvesting technologies through community based on-farm trials in the
ASALs of Kenya. In: Bationo, A., Waswa, B., Kihara, J. & Kimetu, J. (eds). Advances in integrated soil
fertility management in sub-Saharan Africa: Challenges and Opportunities. (in press)

Conferences and Workshops

1. Gichangi E.M., Karanja N.K. & Wood C.W. Managing manure heaps with agro-organic wastes and
cover to reduce nitrogen losses during storages in the Central Kenyan Highlands. An International
Symposium on Improving Human Welfare and Environmental Conservation by Empowering Farmers to
Combat Soil Fertility Degradation Yaoundé, Cameroon May 17 – 21, 2004.
2. Gichangi E.M., Karanja N.K. & Wood W. (2002). Soil Fertility Problem Solving in the Central Kenyan
Highlands. Enhancing manure quality through use of organic amendments. Paper presented at the 5th
Regional Meeting of the Forum for Agricultural Resource Husbandry (FORUM) on 12th to 16th Aug.
2002, Entebbe Uganda.
3. Gichangi E.M., Njiru E.N, Itabari J.K., Wambua J.M. & Maina J.N. (2003). Promotion of improved soil
fertility and water harvesting technologies through community based on-farm trials in the ASALs of
Kenya. Paper Presented at the 1st Adaptive Research Conference held at KARI Headquarters, Nairobi,
from 16-19th July 2003.
4. Gichangi, E. M, Karanja N.K. & Wood C.W. (2003). The potential of agro-organic wastes to reduce
nitrogen losses from cattle manure used by smallholder farmers in the Central Kenyan Highlands. Paper
presented at the Soil Science Society of East Africa (SSSEA), Eldoret, Kenya. 2003.
5. Gachimbi, L.N., Van Keulen, De Jager, A, H., Thuranira, E.G, Karuku, A.M., Itabari, J.K., Nguluu, S.N.,
& Gichangi, E.M (2003). Participatory land use analysis for semi-arid regions in Kenya. A nutrient
monitoring approach. Paper presented at the International Symposium for Sustainable Dry land
Agriculture Systems, 2-5thDecember 2003, Niamey, Niger.
6. Itabari, J.K. Nguluu, S.N, Gichangi, E.M, Karuku, A.M. Wambua J.M., Njiru E & Maina J.N. (2003).
Managing land and water resources for sustainable crop production in dry areas. A Case Study of Small
Scale Farms in semi-arid areas of Eastern, Central and Rift Valley provinces of Kenya. Paper prepared
for presentation at the end of project conference (2003).
7. Karuku, A.M, Itabari, J.K., Nguluu, S.N, Van Keulen, H., de Jager, A, Wambua, J.M., Gichangi, E.M. &
Ikombo, B.M (2002). Analysis of the current nutrient management practices in semi-arid areas of
Eastern Kenya: A NUTMON approach. A Paper presented at the KARI conference November 2002.
8. Nguluu, S.N., Itabari, J.K. Itabari., Karuku, A.M., de Jager, A., Van Keulen, H., Wambua, J.M.,
Gichangi, E.M., & Ikombo, B.M. (2002). Development of nutrient management strategies for ASAL
using Participatory learning and Action Research (PLAR) approach. Paper presented at the 8th Biennial
KARI conference, held at KARI Headquarters, Nairobi, November 2002.
Technical Reports
1. Gichangi, E.M., Njiru, E.N., Itabari, J.K. & Maina, J.M. (2002). Community based on-farm trials
combining fertilizer and water harvesting techniques in semi- arid eastern Kenya. In: KARI-Katumani
Annual Report 2002.
2. Karuku, A.M., Itabari, J.K., Nguluu, S.N. & Gichangi, E.M. (2002). Assessment and monitoring of
nutrient flows and stocks to determine appropriate nutrient management strategies for ASAL In: KARI-
Katumani Annual Report 2002.
3. Karuku, A.M., Itabari, J.K., Gichangi, E.M & Nguluu, S.N., (2003). Up scaling of integrated nutrient
management approaches emerging from the nutrient monitoring and on-farm trials’ with Community
Based Organizations (CBOs) in Kasikeu and Kibwezi. In KARI Katumani Annual Report 2003

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4. Gichangi, E.M., Njiru, E.N. & Itabari, J.K. (2003). Up scaling of improved soil fertility and water
harvesting technologies for maize production through group demonstrations in the ASALs of Kenya. In
KARI Katumani Annual Report 2003
5. Karanja, N.K, Kinyua, D.N, Gichangi, E.M & Sande S., (2001). Soil Fertility Problem Solving in the
Central Highlands of Kenya. Technical Report and Financial Statement, Rockefeller Foundation Forum
for Agricultural Research Husbandry

Extension Pamphlet
Gichangi E.M., Njiru E.N, Itabari J.K & Maina J.N. (2003). Improved Soil Fertility and Water Harvesting
Technologies for Increased Crop Production in the ASALs of Kenya (2003). In: Wamuongo J. (ed). Kenya
Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Research Publications.

Membership to Professional Groups

Member of the African Network for Soil Biology and Fertility (AfNet) of Soil Biology and Fertility (TSBF)
Institute of CIAT