Research statement
My research focuses in the broad area of watersheds-human-environment, with
intent to understand and model the coupled interacting processes. These include
interaction with human, the use of, and management the natural resources – water
and land-, and to determine best practices towards more sustainable resource use.
I consider this information crucial for natural resource managers to enable them to
become better stewards of healthy ecosystems. I view watersheds as unique
spatial entities with multivariate problems yet form integral parts of the earth
system and therefore should be considered in a holistic way in order to understand
the ongoing processes and feedbacks and therefore device long lasting solution.
Consequently, my research increasingly involves the use of geographic information
systems (GIS), remote sensing observations, multivariate statistical techniques and
simpli%ed models applied in a multidisciplinary environment. To this e&ort I have
been involved in watershed research both internationally and locally.
Internationally, my research e&orts focus on exploring the social economics and
impact of intensive commercial horticulture on watershed resources in Kenya.
Kenya is the largest horticulture exporter in sub-Saharan Africa. Often, the price of
production is tagged onto non-renewable watershed resources, a main cause of
alarm. As such understanding and mapping the spatial distribution, quantifying
changes in area under production and modelling likely drivers of expansion can
provide critical information towards policy and regulatory measures within the
watersheds. specifically, my research tries to answer a variety of research and
