DR. CATHERINE NYAMBURA NGAMAU
Catherine Ngamau holds a doctorate degree in Plant Science. She is
a Research Fellow in the Research, Production and Extension
Division of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
(JKUAT). She facilitates development of proposals for research
funding from JKUAT and other national and international donors.
She is heavily involved in the administration of the JKUAT Research
Grant Programme, which includes vetting of research proposals,
Monitoring and Evaluation of the funded research projects among
others. She is also a key player in the organizing & hosting of the
JKUAT Annual Scientific Conference.
Research Interests: Plant Nutrition and Biotechnology
Researches Undertaken:
1. Prospecting for a biofertilizer in banana endophytic bacteria.
2. Endophytic Bacteria of Rice Seeds.
3. Development of alternative irrigation technologies for higher water, labour and nutrient-use efficiency in
water scarce areas of Kenya.
4. Optimisation of substrate pH for peat plants with regard to aluminium toxicity and nutrient uptake.
Teaching Experience:
Teaching ‘Plant Nutrition’ at the Department of Horticulture and ‘Soil Chemistry and Fertilizer Use’ at the
Department of Biomechanical and Environmental Engineering of JKUAT.
Scientific Publications:
 Ngamau C. N., Matiru V. N., Tani A., Muthuri C. W. (2014). Potential use of endophytic bacteria as biofertilizer for
sustainable banana (Musa spp.) Production. African Journal of Horticultural Science 8:1-11.
 Ouma S. O., Magiri E. N., Matiru V. N., Mugweru J., Ngamau C. N. (2014). Evaluation of Nitrogen Fixation Ability
of Endophytic Bacteria in Kenyan Bananas (Musa Spp.) Using Biochemical and Molecular Techniques. The
International Journal of Science & Technoledge 2 (13):156-163.
 Ngamau C. N. (2013). Endophytic bacteria associated with bananas (Musa spp.) in Kenya and their potential as
biological fertilizers. PhD Thesis, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya.
 Ngamau C. N., Matiru V. N., Tani A., Muthuri C. W. (2012). Isolation and identification of endophytic bacteria of bananas
(Musa spp.) in Kenya and their potential as biofertilizers for sustainable banana production. African Journal of
Microbiology Research 6(34):6414-6422.
 Ngamau C. N., Hunja M., Tani A., (2010). Determination of Endophytic Bacteria Composition of Rice Seed Using DGGE.
In: Proceedings of the fifth JKUAT Scientific, Technological and Industrisation Conference, Nairobi, Kenya.
 Ngamau, C. N., M. G. Karembu and D. Otunge (2008). Kenya – Status of Biotechnology Research and Development. In:
‘Plant Tissue Culture & Transformation Techniques’. Balram Sharma (Ed), Centre for Science and Technology of the
Non-Aligned and Other Developing Countries (NAM S&T Centre), Daya Publishing House. pp. 97-110.
 Ngamau, C., Kanyi, B., Epila-Otara, J., Mwangingo, P. and Wakhusama, S. (2004). Towards Optimizing the Benefits of
Clonal Forestry to Small-scale Farmers in East Africa. ISAAA Briefs No. 33. ISAAA: Ithaca, New York, USA.
 Ngamau, C. (Ed.) (2003). Farmer Field School for Dissemination of Tissue Culture Banana Technology. BiotekAfrica
Newsbrief, ABSF/KBIC Issue 2, Nairobi, Kenya.
 Ngamau, C. (Ed.) (2003). Genetically Modified (GM) Sweet Potato in Kenya. BiotekAfrica Newsbrief, ABSF/KBIC Issue
1, Nairobi, Kenya.
 Ngamau, C. (1999). Optimisation of substrate pH for peat plants with regard to aluminium toxicity and nutrient uptake:
an example of Erica gracilis. MSc. Thesis, Leibniz Universität Hannover, Germany.
Contacts:
Dr. (Mrs.) Catherine Nyambura Ngamau
Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
Research, Production and Extension Division (Research Directorate)
P.O. Box 62000, 00200, Nairobi, Kenya.
Email Address: cngamau@rpe.jkuat.ac.ke
Tel. +254 (0) 733 423766 / +254 (0) 724 078817