Teaching
Face to Face Teaching
Introduction to Environmental Science
Environment and Development
Remote Sensing
Geographical Information System
Remote Sensing and GIS Applications
Environmental Impact Assessment and Audit
Environmental Hazards
Moi University: Main Campus (Kesses)
Environment is totality of the surroundings affecting an organism. Note that the different components interact to create ecosystems.
Geospatial technology is a collecting term of tools used in the science of "where" and analysis of the environment in totality. These tools are useful in answering the questions:
What is at.....? - Locational question
How has it changed......? - Trendy question
Which data are related.....? - Relational question and
What if.......? - Model based question
The above capabilities makes geospatial technology invaluable in all professions including environment, agriculture, health, surveying, business and asset management.
Selected Teaching Materials
Digital Elevation Model for landscape analysis (slope, contours, aspect & visibility)
Landscape contour extraction which is useful in assessing soil erosion potential, infrastructure development siting, flooding potential, e.t.c
Landscape percent slope rise
Landscape aspect (direction the slope is facing)
Generation of 3D from 2D images
Landscape for visibility analysis at point marked with a red dot on a 3D landscape
Visible area at 2m above the ground (26.37%) of the area is visible
Visible area at 50m above the ground (58.31%) of the area is visible
FAO EcoCrop model output of cotton growing areas in Kenya based on 2018 climate (Color information is on the right table)
This data is derived from modelled cotton growing areas and Kenya's 2009 census population & household (the census data was projected to 2018). Using this data, both county and national governments and other stakeholders can target the areas with "Excellent" & "Very Suitable" suitability levels to promote cotton production. The total numbers of households and the combined areas in the two suitability levels is useful information to run an informed economic analysis of cotton crop production in the country (it provides the size of land and the number of potential farming households).
Basic map production (this is Kakamega forest showing data sampling stations & points for a specific research).
This is analysis of slope in four sublocations in Nandi county as per the Agriculture Act Cap 318. (Note the details in the tables).
Online Teaching
Course mentor: Geospatial and Environmental Analysis course in Coursera offered by University of California Davis (June 2016 - May 2020)
Research
Research Interests
Ecology and Ecosystems
Environmental management
Sustainable development
Climate change issues
Geospatial and environmental analysis
Watershed Management
Hydrology
Selected Research Materials
Land surface temperature extraction from landsat satellite imagery dated 12th June 2009, 7:43 am GMT.
Kakamega Forest camping ground multi-criteria suitability analysis based on five factors
Modelled mosquito niche spatial distribution changes in Kenya's highland
Kenya's monthly spatial trend of rainfall distribution
Kenya's monthly spatial trend of MODIS NDVI distribution
The future climate based changes of rangeland vegetation suitability
Grass biomass production trend (2001 - 2015)
Example of farm mapping
Mapped land use land cover data & details of the example farm
ALOHA toxic pollutant dispersion modelling
ALOHA model output showing details of Households, Population, Schools, Area and Major crop affected by the dispersed pollutants at different concentrations. Such data is useful in research and in disaster preparedness and management. In this example, it is possible to estimate the size of area requiring soil remediation among other useful information.
Modelled climate based changes in suitable sorghum production areas in the future
Village-level GIS application to aid development decision making through project prioritization by location based on distance from households. In this example, where to extend power grid, road network, water network and build new schools based on distances from households can clearly be identified.
Publications
Peer Reviewed Journals Publications
Chepkurui A., Kigen C. and Abdi N. (2022). A Tropical River Discharge Response to Land Use Land Cover Change; International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications (IJSRP) 12(11) (ISSN: 2250-3153), DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.29322/IJSRP.12.11.2022.p13122
Kigen C. K., J. Chelanga, C. Saina and M. Kiptui (2021). Geospatial Technology for Identification of the "Far Behind" in Attaining SDGs 13, 14 and 15. Africa Habitat Review Journal, Special Issue (2021). http://uonjournals.uonbi.ac.ke/ojs/index.php/ahr/article/view/1200/1106
Kigen C. K., S. M. Makindi F. N. Muyekho and E. N. Masibayi (2019). Spatio-temporal assessment of rainfall influence on vegetation in the arid and semi-arid lands of Kenya. IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT), http://iosrjournals.org/iosr-jestft/papers/Vol13-Issue10/Series-1/G1310013751.pdf
Kigen C. K., F. N. Muyekho, E. N. Masibayi and S. M. Makindi (2019). Potential tropical climate-based spatio-temporal grass variability. Environ. Res. Commun. 1 (2019) 021001, https://doi.org/10.1088/2515-7620/ab0cc7
Onyando O. Z., H. O. Lung’ayia, C. K. Kigen and W. A. Shivoga (2016). Dynamics in physicochemical conditions along riparian land use gradients in River Isiukhu watershed, Western Kenya. International Journal of Environmental Biology, ISSN 2277–386X.
Agevi H., M. Tsingalia, M. Wabusya, C. Kigen, R. Kawawa, L. Obiet and G. Tarus (2016). Diversity and Biomass Variation in Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. Journal of Forestry, Vol. 3, No. 3.
Obiet L., Konje M., Muyekho F., Danyuku E., Kigen C., Wamalwa S., Kassilly F., Wabusya M. (2014) Forage Availability and Quality for the Impala (Aepyceros melampus) of Impala Sanctuary, Kenya. International Journal of Recent Scientific Research, Manuscript number IJRSR 1460/2014
Vuyiya E., Konje M., Tsingalia H., Obiet L., Kigen C., Wamalwa S. and Nyongesa H. (2014). The impacts of human activities on tree species richness and diversity in Kakamega Forest, Western Kenya International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation. Academic Journals ISSN 2141-243X.
Kigen C. K., D. M. W. Ochieno, J. O. Muoma, W. A. Shivoga, M. Konje, Z. Onyando, B. C. Soi, S. M. Makindi, P. Kisoyan and J. M. Mironga. (2014). Spatial Modelling of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) growing areas in Kenyan Arid and Semi-arid Lands. Elixir Remote sensing 66 (2014) 20674-20678.
Konje M. M., P. Okoth, H.Tsingalia, C. Kigen, H. Nyongesa, A. Njue and M.Wabusya. (2013). Influence of Soil Properties and Environmental Variables on Plant Communities in Lake Naivasha Drainage Basin; Kenya Elixir Pollution 64 (2013) 19215-19221.
Onyando Z, W. A. Shivoga, H. Lung’ayia, D. W. Ochieno, H. Agevi and C. Kigen. (2013). The influence of land use on nutrient regime in a tropical stream. Elixir Pollution 64 (2013) 19290-19294.
Kigen C., P. Okoth, M. Konje, W. Shivoga, D. Ochieno, S. Wanjala, H. Agevi, Z. Onyando, B. Soi, P. Kisoyan and S. Makindi. (2013). Modeling the Impacts of Climate Change on Grevy’s Zebra (Equus grevyi) niche in Kenya. Elixir Remote sensing 62 (2013) 17608-17611.
Kigen C., W. Shivoga, and A, Magana (2009). Water Quality Analysis using Macro-invertebrates and Riparian Vegetation in a Tropical River. Egerton University Journal of Science and Technology
Conference Papers
Kigen C. K., F.N. Muyekho, E.N. Masibayi and S. M. Makindi (2019). Spatio-Temporal Variations of Rainfall and Vegetation in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands of Kenya. Proceedings of 13th Multi-Disciplinary International Conference 2019 at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Tech., 19th – 21st June 2019.
Kigen C., Chelang’a J., and J. Korir (2017). Climate influenced mosquito niche changes and population at risk in Kenyan highlands. Proceedings of 6th National Science Week at Kenyatta International Convention Center, 22nd – 26th May 2017.
Kigen C. and F. Muyekho (2016). Impacts of Potential Climate on Pennisetum purpureum and Setaria splendida Suitability Growing Areas in Kenya. Proceedings of 2016 Africa ESP Conference (Ecosystem Services for SDGs in Africa), Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya, 21st – 25th Nov 2016
Kigen C. P. Kisoyan and J. Chelanga (2016). A Village-Level GIS-Based County Government and Environmental Risk Management Decision Support System. Proceedings of 11th ESRI Eastern Africa User Conference, Acacia Premier Hotel, Kisumu, Kenya, 2 – 4 Nov 2016
Kigen C., F. Muyekho, E. Masibayi and S. Makindi (2016). Spatial assessment of climate based rangeland vegetation variability in Samburu and Marsabit Counties. Proceedings of Mainstreaming Sustainable Land Management in Agro-Pastoral Production Systems of Kenya Project Conference 1st – 4th June, 2016
Kigen C. and Z. Onyando (2016). Potentials of GNSS and GSM Technology in Road Traffic and Speed Management in Kenya. Proceedings of International Conference on Transport and Road Research Conference 16th – 18th March 2016.
Kigen C., W. Shivoga, A, Magana, G Maina and J. Omweri: Development of a biotic index for the assessment of water quality of River Njoro, Kenya. Proceedings of Egerton University Fifth Annual Research Week and International Conference 22nd – 24th Sept 2010.
Maina, A. G, O. J. Omweri, C. K. Kigen, N. W. Moturi, A. W. Shivoga, O. G. Obwoyere, O. E. Otachi, N. C. Atalista and, O. D. Nyawanga. Remote sensing technology and utilities in natural resource management. Proceedings of Egerton University Fifth Annual Research Week and International Conference 22nd – 24th Sept 2010.
Kigen C., W. Shivoga and A, Magana: Detecting Water Quality Changes in River Njoro, Kenya: A Comparison Between BioMAT and Shannon Indices. Proceedings of SUMAWA Project Conference 27th – 29th April 2009.
Kigen C., W. Shivoga, A, Magana and H. Makoba: Potential of using Biological Monitoring Assessment Tool for evaluation of water quality in River Njoro watershed, Kenya. Proceedings of Egerton University Third Research Week and International Conference 16th – 18th Sept 2008.
H. Makoba, W. Shivoga, and C, Kigen: Use of Benthic Macroinvertebrates as Indicators of Water Quality in River Njoro, Kenya. Proceedings of Egerton University Third Research Week and International Conference 16th – 18th Sept 2008.
Books and Articles
Kigen C. K. & M. Konje (2016). Spatial Camping Ground Multi-criteria Suitability Modelling. In Waswa et. al., in Expanding theoretical and Applied roles of GIS in a Dynamic Global Environment Proceedings: (Pp 101 - 108), ISBN 978-9966-096-54-8.
Kigen C.K., S. Makindi, E. Masibayi, H. Agevi, Z. Odira & F. Muyekho (2016). Climate-based changes of sugarcane growing areas in Western Kenya. In Waswa et. al., in Expanding theoretical and Applied roles of GIS in a Dynamic Global Environment Proceedings: (Pp 177-183), ISBN 978-9966-096-54-8.
Kelly A. L. K., C. K. Kigen, H. Agevi & K. A. Mwendwa (2016). Trends in land use and land cover changes; drivers and impacts on Kakamega forest block. In Waswa et. al., in Expanding theoretical and Applied roles of GIS in a Dynamic Global Environment Proceedings: (Pp 59 - 68), ISBN 978-9966-096-54-8.
Anis Y. I. & C. K. Kigen (2016). Multi-temporal analysis of Nairobi county land use land cover. (2016). In Waswa et. al., in Expanding theoretical and Applied roles of GIS in a Dynamic Global Environment Proceedings: (Pp 75 - 79), ISBN 978-9966-096-54-8.
Kigen K. C., D., M. W. Ochieno, J. O. Muoma, W. A. Shivoga, M. Konje, Z. Onyando, B. C. Soi, S. M. Makindi, P. Kisoyan and J. M. Mironga (2014). Spatial Modeling of Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) growing areas in Kenyan Arid and Semi-arid Lands. In Khalif Z., Gachene C. K. K, Gicheru P., Mburu D. M. and Gakahu C. G. (Eds.) Sustainable Land Management in Dry Lands of Kenya, ISBN 978-9966-1805-5-1
Kigen C., Kiptanui A., Kyalo D. (2008). Roadmap for development of river Njoro watershed, Kenya, (Unpublished).