Hudson Liyai

Hudson Liyai is the Deputy University Librarian at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He graduated with a B.A. degree in Political Science and Sociology from the University of Nairobi in 1977. He went for postgraduate professional training in Library and Information Science at Manchester Metropolitan University in U.K. Besides Library Science, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and a Masters degree in Communication Studies, both from the School of Journalism and Mass  Communication, University of Nairobi.

Liyai has worked in the University of Nairobi Library system for many years, 25 of them at senior levels. He has also served on many University committees.

He has published a number of monographs, chapters and papers, mainly in the field library and information science, communication and bio-bibliography. As a professional editor, he has produced books and reports for publishers. Earlier in his career, he was the Editor of the professional journal, “Maktaba”, published by Kenya Library Association.

Liyai’s teaching experience at the University of Nairobi includes library and information skills course to undergraduates, diploma course in Information studies, and  information literacy for masters students at the Centre for Human Rights and Peace. Currently he teaches two course units, Communication, and Publishing and Book Trade, for the masters course in Library and Information Science.

Liyai has been a member of several professional associations nationally and internationally. For ten years he served as Regional Representative on the Africa Board of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA). He has travelled to many countries for conferences and workshops.

At national level, he has served on the Universities Visitation Committee’s Sub-committee on university libraries. He has been a member of the Kenya Bureau of Standards, National Technical Committee on Information. Currently he is a member of Ministerial Advisory Council of Kenya National Archives.

Most memorable Award : won the nationwide high school essay contest to represent Kenya at the World Youth Forum in USA January – March 1971.

Liyai is married and has “children” who have graduated from the University of Nairobi. His hobbies include reading and telephone peasant farming.