KMS Leadership

Dr Michael Obiero Oyengo is a distinguished Kenyan mathematician and educator currently serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Pure Mathematics at Maseno University. He earned his PhD in Mathematics from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2018, where his research centered on Analytic Number Theory, with a specific focus on the geometry of polynomials and continued fractions. His academic foundation was built locally, having obtained his MSc in Pure Mathematics from Maseno University and a Bachelor of Education from Egerton University.

Beyond his theoretical research, Dr Obiero is a transformative figure in African mathematics education, particularly known for championing digital assessment tools. He leads the African STACK Community, advocating for the adoption of the open-source STACK system to facilitate computer-aided assessment in mathematics and science. By implementing this technology at Maseno University, he has pioneered scalable solutions for handling large class sizes, ensuring students receive immediate, high-quality feedback that enhances their learning experience.

Dr Obiero’s influence extends to national leadership as the Chairperson of the Kenya Mathematical Society (KMS). Through this role and his collaborations with organisations like IDEMS International and INNODEMS, he is deeply committed to bridging the gap between complex mathematical theory and practical education. His work includes developing open digital textbooks for secondary schools and designing innovative graduate programs for teachers, all aimed at strengthening the mathematical ecosystem in Kenya and beyond.

Dr Lucy Muthoni is a distinguished mathematician and expert in risk management with over 15 years of experience bridging the gap between academia and industry. She holds a PhD in Mathematics with a specialisation in Mathematical Finance, complemented by a robust background in Actuarial Science. Her career has been defined by a commitment to applying advanced mathematical concepts to solve complex, multi-sectoral problems across various countries.

Currently, Dr Muthoni is serving as a Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in the United States. Based in the Department of Mathematics, she brings a wealth of international perspective to the institution, engaging in teaching and research that underscores the practical application of mathematics in global contexts.

Beyond her international engagements, Dr Muthoni plays a significant role in Kenya's public sector. Since 2016, she has worked as an academic technocrat with the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA). In this capacity, she leverages her expertise in quantitative analysis and financial modelling to inform fiscal policy and support equitable revenue sharing frameworks within the Kenyan government.

Dr Jared Ongaro is a distinguished mathematician and technology strategist currently serving as the Director ICT at the Open University of Kenya. He played a pivotal role in the university's establishment, serving as a Technical Working Committee Member and Technology Lead before assuming his current directorate. Under his leadership, the ICT team was recognised with the prestigious CIO 100 Gold Award in November 2025, cementing his reputation for driving digital excellence in higher education.

An expert in Algebraic Geometry and representation Theory, Dr Ongaro’s academic career is marked by significant international experience, including positions as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Oxford and a Researcher at the University of California, Berkeley. He has also contributed to the literary canon of the field, co-authoring the textbook Fundamental Concepts in Pure Mathematics (2020) and and Towards Plane Hurwitz Numbers (2014).

Beyond his institutional duties, Dr Ongaro is a tireless advocate for the advancement of mathematics in Africa. He is the founder of the Africa Mathematics Seminar and has been the main organiser of the Annual Nairobi Workshop in Algebraic Geometry since 2015. His commitment to mentorship is evident in his long-standing role as the Team Leader for the Kenya Mathematics Olympiad, a position he has held since 2009. Additionally, his expertise in digital pedagogy has seen him serve as an IIOE-UNESCO Digital Pedagogy Expert and, more recently, as a member of the National Committee on Review of the New University Education Funding Model.

Dr Maurine Atieno Songa is a Kenyan mathematician and lecturer at Kisii University, specializing in the highly abstract field of Category Theory. Her research investigates mathematical structures and their applications in areas such as systems biology and computer science, with specific work on limits and colimits in categories of lenses. Her academic journey is marked by excellence, holding a PhD and MSc from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, a Postgraduate Diploma from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Nairobi.

Beyond her academic achievements, Dr Songa is a dedicated advocate for gender equality in STEM, using her platform to inspire young girls to pursue mathematics. She founded the Hope for the Girl-Child Foundation to mentor and support underprivileged high school girls and actively collaborates with organisations like Femafricmaths and Her Maths Story. Her personal narrative of rising from humble beginnings in Western Kenya to becoming a doctoral researcher serves as a powerful testament to resilience, challenging societal stereotypes about women in the hard sciences.

Dr Beth Kiratu is a trailblazing Kenyan mathematician and educator, currently serving as a lecturer at the Open University of Kenya and the Technical University of Kenya. She holds a distinguished place in Kenya's academic history as the first woman to earn a PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of Nairobi (2018), a milestone she achieved after overcoming significant systemic barriers. Her academic journey began with a First Class Honours degree in Mathematics and Statistics, followed by an MSc in Pure Mathematics, both from the University of Nairobi.

Her research interests span both abstract mathematics and educational innovation. In pure mathematics, she specialises in Operator Theory, focusing on the spectral properties of operators in Hilbert spaces. Beyond theory, Dr Kiratu is a leading advocate for the modernisation of mathematics education in Africa. She plays a key role in the African STACK Community, promoting the use of open-source digital assessment tools to improve student learning. She has also been instrumental in developing digital learning modules for the newly established Open University of Kenya, leveraging technology to make higher education more accessible and engaging.

Dr Benjamin Kikwai is a distinguished Kenyan mathematician and technologist currently serving as a Lecturer in Pure Mathematics at Machakos University. He holds a PhD in Geometry from the prestigious Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA) in Italy, where his doctoral research on refined node polynomials was awarded cum laude. His expertise lies in Algebraic Geometry, specifically enumerative geometry and tropical curves, with a academic foundation further strengthened by a Postgraduate Diploma from the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP).


A central figure in the regional mathematical community, Dr Kikwai is a key organiser of the Annual Nairobi Workshop in Algebraic Geometry, which bridges the gap between African scholars and international researchers. Through his active involvement with the Kenya Mathematical Society (KMS), he plays a vital role in mentoring postgraduate students and advancing the study of pure mathematics in Kenya. His leadership extends to administrative roles at Machakos University, where he has served as the Coordinator of Income Generating Units and the Examination and Timetabling Coordinator.

Dr Kikwai is a prolific software developer and innovator in the digital space. He has successfully developed digital platforms for the transport and insurance sectors, including systems for digital motor and marine insurance certificates. His recent work explores the intersection of mathematics and artificial intelligence, specifically in Natural Language Processing (NLP), where he is developing models for real-time Kiswahili audio-to-text translation and sentiment analysis. This unique combination of pure science and practical application makes him a leading voice in Kenya’s evolving digital ecosystem.

Dr Ben Obiero is a Kenyan mathematician and academic currently serving as a Lecturer in the Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK). He is recognised for his research in Algebraic Geometry, with a specific focus on vector bundles and commutative algebra.

Dr Obiero obtained his PhD in Pure Mathematics from the University of Nairobi in 2014, where his research contributed to the understanding of elementary transformations of vector bundles in projective spaces. Prior to his doctoral studies, he earned both his Master of Science (MSc) in Pure Mathematics (2011) and his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Mathematics (2009) from the same institution.

In his professional career, Dr Obiero has been instrumental in teaching and supervising students at the Technical University of Kenya. His scholarly work includes publications on topics such as the minimal resolution conjecture and the homogeneous ideal of general points in projective space. Beyond his academic duties, he is known for mentoring young mathematicians and has been cited as a source of inspiration for academic excellence within his community.

Dr Beth Menge is a Kenyan applied mathematician and academic, currently serving as a lecturer at the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM). She is known for her work in the field of fluid dynamics and her dedicated mentorship of young women in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Her research expertise lies in Applied Mathematics, with a specific focus on fluid mechanics. She has conducted significant work on the numerical simulation of turbulent flows and heat transfer, exploring topics such as buoyancy-driven turbulent natural convection in enclosures. Her academic background includes an MSc in Mathematics, with thesis work conducted at institutions such as Kenyatta University and JKUAT, contributing to the understanding of complex flow systems.

Beyond her technical research, Dr Menge is a passionate advocate for gender equality in education. She is actively involved in community outreach programs, such as the mentorship initiatives for students at Bahari Girls High School, where she champions the importance of study habits and career pursuit in STEM fields. Through her position at TUM, she continues to inspire the next generation of scientists and mathematicians in the coastal region of Kenya.

Dr Cyrus Gitonga Ngari is a Kenyan mathematician and academic currently serving as a Senior Lecturer and the Dean of the School of Pure and Applied Sciences at Kirinyaga University. He is a specialist in Applied Mathematics, with a particular focus on Biomathematics and the mathematical modelling of social dynamics.

Education and Academic Background Dr Ngari obtained his PhD in Applied Mathematics from the University of Nairobi in 2018, where his research focused on the deterministic modelling of disease co-infection. Prior to this, he earned his Master of Science (MSc) in Applied Mathematics from Kenyatta University and a Bachelor of Education (Science) from Egerton University, graduating with First Class Honours.

His research interests are centred on Mathematical Modelling using Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs).
Professional Leadership Before joining Kirinyaga University, Dr Ngari held academic positions at the University of Embu and Moi University. As Dean at Kirinyaga University, he plays a pivotal role in academic administration, curriculum development, and the mentorship of postgraduate students in the field of mathematics.

Dr Susan Ouko is a distinguished Kenyan academic and educator specialising in Mathematics Education. She currently serves as a Lecturer and the Acting Dean of the School of Education and Social Sciences at Turkana University College. With a career spanning over two decades, she has dedicated her work to improving instructional pedagogy and enhancing learning outcomes in mathematics for students across Kenya.

Her academic journey is rooted in a deep commitment to educational advancement. Dr Ouko holds a PhD in Mathematics Education from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, where her research focused on the role of peer instruction in acquiring problem-solving skills. She also earned a Master of Philosophy in Educational Communication and Technology from Moi University, building upon her Bachelor of Education degree from the same institution, where she specialised in Mathematics and Geography.

Before joining higher education, Dr Ouko spent over 15 years as a secondary school teacher and administrator, including roles as a Deputy Principal and Head of Mathematics Department. This extensive classroom experience informs her research interests, which include peer-mediated strategies, the flipped classroom approach, and practical activities designed to improve student attitudes and achievement in topics such as vectors.

Beyond her academic duties, Dr Ouko is deeply involved in teacher training and mentorship. She has served as an examiner for the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and actively mentors student teachers. A resident of Turkana County, she is also passionate about community engagement and environmental conservation, with a particular enthusiasm for tree planting initiatives.

Dr David Angwenyi Nyachae is a Kenyan mathematician and academic currently serving as a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Mathematics at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). He is widely recognised for his work in Applied Mathematics, with a specific focus on the intersection of stochastic processes, computational mathematics and machine learning. At MMUST, he plays a significant role in postgraduate training, having developed new doctoral curricula in Data Assimilation and supervising numerous students in numerical analysis.

His academic background is grounded in rigorous mathematical training both in Kenya and Germany. Dr Angwenyi earned his PhD in Natural Sciences (Mathematics) from the University of Potsdam in 2019, where his research concentrated on time-continuous state and parameter estimation with applications to hyperbolic Stochastic Partial Differential Equations (SPDEs). Prior to his doctoral studies, he obtained both his MSc in Applied Mathematics (with Distinction) and his Bachelor of Education (Science) with First Class Honours from the University of Nairobi, establishing a strong foundation in analysis and fluid mechanics early in his career.

In terms of research, Dr Angwenyi specialises in Data Assimilation, a sophisticated field that integrates observational data with theoretical models to improve predictive accuracy. His recent work explores the use of ensemble Kalman filters to initialise artificial neural network weights, effectively bridging the gap between traditional numerical methods and modern artificial intelligence. Beyond his research, he is an active contributor to the mathematics education community, notably participating in the African STACK Community, which advocates for the use of open-source digital tools to enhance mathematics assessment and pedagogy across the continent.