The Kenya Scholars and Studies Association (KESSA) conducted elections for officers as shown below for 2-year terms which will begin immediately following the KESSA Conference in September 2026, in Orlando, Florida. The 2-year terms will end in September 2028.
Treasurer
A regional representative for each of these KESSA regions:
- Northeast (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Washington D.C.)
- Southwest (Texas, Oklahoma.)
- Midwest (Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Iowa)
Position descriptions for each position can be found on the KESSA By-Laws.
Elected Candidate Bio Sketches
Position: Treasurer (elected)
Dr. Wilkistar Otieno: Dr. Wilkistar Otieno seeks your trust for the position of KESSA’s Treasurer. Dr. Otieno is an Associate Professor and former Department Chair of the Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She served KESSA as the Midwestern Region Representative (AY 2025/2026). Dr. Otieno has had a wealth of experience leading professional organizations in various capacities. She was the Treasurer (2014-2016), Vice President (2016-2017) and President (2018-2020) the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers)’s Milwaukee Chapter. She also served as the President Elect (2022-2023) and President (2023-2024) of the Women in Operations Research and Management Sciences (a section forum) of the Institute For Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS). She currently serves as the faculty advisor of several professional and religious student chapters, including the Society of Women Engineers (SWE), Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) and the Advent Campus Fellowship Group (ACF).
Position: Northeast Regional Representative (elected)
Dr. James Mutunga:
Personal Info: My name is Dr. James Mutunga, I am an Assistant Professor of Biology/Ecology at the Pennsylvania State University- Harrisburg. Previously, I was a research faculty at the Penn State-led Global Building Network.
Leadership: During my 15-year research career, I have held several supervisory and leadership positions in various leading research and government organizations, and universities in USA and Kenya. In these senior ranks that I served, I have embraced a consultative, inclusive and proactive thought process and leadership philosophy to not only lead but also mentor and advise peers, my staff and my students. KESSA presents an opportunity to network with peers and work with a dedicated team of students in various disciplines to increase the community impact of the science we do.
Contributions to KESSA: As a member since 2008 I have presented in KESSA conferences and also built research collaborations. I have been a champion of student involvement and contributed to outreach initiatives. In 2023, I was nominated to chair the Ad Hoc Committee for the 2024 KESSA conference planning committee. In Feb 2024, I was nominated by the KESSA President to chair the 2024 KESSA conference abstract review committee.
I will utilize the people engagement skills, inclusive leadership, engaged representation and team interdisciplinary to reach out to a wide array of KESSA eligible member of the region.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-mutunga-8028a330
Position: Southwest Regional Representative (elected)
Dr. Edward Manyibe: Dr. Edward O. Manyibe is a Research Professor at Langston University and a member of the Kenya Studies and Scholars Association (KESSA) since its inception. He serves as Research Director for two federally funded research centers, including the Rehabilitation Research and Training Center (RRTC) on Research and Capacity Building for Minority Entities. He is also Co-Principal Investigator on multiple federally sponsored research and technical assistance initiatives focused on strengthening research capacity at minority-serving institutions and advancing outcomes for underserved populations.
Dr. Manyibe’s research agenda centers on research capacity building, mentorship, disability policy in developing countries, and rehabilitation outcomes. He contributes to graduate education through teaching master’s-level courses in the Department of Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at Langston University and holds a Courtesy Faculty appointment at Oregon State University. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Literature from the University of Nairobi, a Diploma in Healthcare Management from the Kenya Institute of Management, a Master’s degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from Bowling Green State University, and a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Education from the University of Arizona. He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and a Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor (LADC).
Dr. Manyibe has authored over 45 peer-reviewed publications and received notable honors, including the 2018 Bobbie Atkins Research Award and the 2020 Scholarly Creative Engagement Award. His leadership includes service as Chair of the Langston University Faculty Senate and as a member of the Faculty Advisory Council to the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education. He also serves on national advisory boards.
Position: Midwest Regional Representative (elected)
Dr. Eva Nyutu: My name is Dr. Eva Nyutu, and I am an Assistant Professor of Biology at University of Detroit Mercy. With over 15 years of experience teaching, mentoring, and advising students, I am deeply committed to fostering inclusive learning environments that support both academic and personal growth. I have extensive experience in leadership and professional development, including serving on the National Association for Research in Science Teaching (NARST) Program Committee as a Strand Coordinator for Strand #5 – College Science Teaching and Learning. In this role, I facilitate scholarly exchanges, coordinate peer review of research presentations, and support the professional growth of colleagues in science education. These experiences strengthen my skills in organization, communication, and collaborative networking key competencies for assisting the Executive Council in managing and promoting KESSA events.
Beyond the classroom, I have contributed to curriculum development, student support initiatives, and collaborative projects that advance equity in STEM education. I am eager to leverage these experiences to foster regional engagement, promote professional development, and build meaningful connections among scholars. I am committed to serving KESSA with integrity, transparency, and dedication, supporting its mission to strengthen the role of the Kenyan diaspora and Kenyan scholars globally.
Please direct any questions to Dr. Rachel Ndonye, Elections Committee Chair at: rachel.ndonye@montgomerycollege.edu
KESSA Elections Committee
Dr. Rachel Ndonye – Chairperson
Dr. Francis Koti
Dr. Elimelda Ongeri