KESLP Leadership Team
Dr. Annette Okoth
President
Dr. Annette W. Okoth is an applied Statistician, with expertise in Data Analytics & Statistical Modeling. She teaches Statistics at Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology. Besides teaching, she is a Researcher, STEM Champion, Mentor & Science Leadership Coach. Annette holds a PhD and MSc. in Statistics, both from Masinde Muliro University of Science & Technology, and a Bachelor of Education (Science) in Mathematics and Chemistry from Egerton University. Given the multidisciplinary nature of Statistics, her research focuses on a number of thematic areas, including Health, STEM Education, Gender, Food Security and Climate Change. She strongly believes in the application of Statistical concepts in solving global health challenges, and so she is establishing herself in Health Research, with most of her current projects being in this area. Annette is a Career, Leadership and Personal Growth Coach at both individual and Organizational levels. She has facilitated various career and leadership workshops for Students, Educators, Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and Corporates. Her scientific contributions as an emerging research leader have been widely recognized. As a result, she has been selected to join Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF, 2023), Africa Science Leadership Programme (ASLP, 2021) and Leaders of Africa Institute for the Research Methods Programme (RMP, 2025). Additionally, she has been selected among scholars developing an online resource for Early Career Researchers (ECRs), in collaboration with a team from the University of Southampton. Annette is a trained leadership facilitator with Africa Science Leadership Programme, University of Pretoria and Inclusive Innovation. Being passionate about sound leadership, Annette is involved in mentorship, especially for the youth, with the view to empowering them with leadership skills. As a Scientist and knowing the challenges that youth, especially girls face in charting their career paths in Science, she is helping them make informed choices on matters of careers and life. As the Chapter Secretary, African Women in Science & Engineering (AWSE), Western – MMUST Chapter, she leverages the platform to organize and execute outreach activities to schools where she mentors and does academic coaching.
Dr. Becky Aloo
Vice President
Dr. Becky Aloo is a Lecturer in the Department of Biological Sciences and the Intellectual Property Management Officer at the University of Eldoret. She is passionate about research for solutions to societal problems using microorganisms. Her research focus is on the plant root rhizomicrobiome and processes that promote plant growth for use as biofertilizers. Her research is widely disseminated in high-impact factor journals and books by reputable publishers and has attracted about 600 citations. She has also received international recognition for excellence in this line of research, and has recently been selected into the African Science Leadership Program which will further widen my potential networks in my research endeavors towards the 2063 Africa Union Agenda. She is very passionate about mentoring young girls and women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Dr. Shehu Shagari
Executive Secretary
Dr. Shehu Shagari Awandu, is a Senior Lecturer at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, where he teaches and mentors the next generation of research leaders. He leads a research group that focuses on infectious diseases and and the nexus of host, vector and parasite relations. Shehu Awandu holds a BSc degee in Biology (Moi University), MSc Immunology (Kenyatta University) and earned his Phd in Biochemistry from the University of Pretoria in 2019. His scientific contributions as an emerging research leader have been widely recognized, including induction into the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (2020), AREF Africa Research Excellence Fund Research Development Fellow [AREF RDF] (2022), Kenya Science Leadership Programme [KE-ASLP](2024), Afrique Research Support Hub [ARSH] Fellow (2025) and the AREF Towards Leadership Fellow (2025).
Dr. Lucy Mandillah
Treasurer
Dr. Lucy Mandillah is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Language and Literature Education at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). She has a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship experience from the University of Venda, South Africa; a PhD in Applied Linguistics; a Master of Arts in English and Linguistics; and a Bachelor of Education (Arts) in English, Linguistics and Literature from Kenyatta University. As an Applied Linguist, she is dedicated to using linguistic knowledge to address real-world challenges across disciplines. She currently serves as Deputy Director of the Institute of Indigenous Knowledge, Cultural Studies and Climate Change, and Chair of the Gender Mainstreaming Committee at MMUST. Her scholarly work has been complemented by several successful grant acquisitions, fellowships and awards from both local and international sources, underscoring her commitment to advancing academic discourse. Additionally, Dr.Mandillah actively participates in national and international academic platforms such as conferences, summits, seminars, webinars, and workshops, enhancing her academic and leadership profile. She is affiliated with several professional organizations and serves on multiple boards and committees within and beyond the university. She is also a fellow of the Kenya Science Leadership Programme (Ke-SLP), Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), International Network for Governmental Science Advice – Africa Chapter (INGSA-Africa), IFE Institute of Advanced Studies (IIAS), and the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF). Her research interests lie in Applied Linguistics, with a particular focus on ethnolinguistics, language revitalization and documentation, language and curriculum development, eco-linguistics, psycholinguistics, General linguistics (Phonetics and Phonology Morphology, semantics, and syntax); language and diplomacy, communication for change, and language and gender.
Dr. Sabella Kiprono
Organizing Secretary
Dr. Sabella Kiprono is a distinguished microbiologist and science leader. She is a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and holds a PhD in Microbiology from Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China. Her academic journey also includes a Master’s in Microbiology from Saint Louis University in the Philippines and a Bachelor of Education Science (Biology/Chemistry) from Egerton University, Kenya. With over a decade of experience in higher education, research, and institutional leadership, Dr. Kiprono is dedicated to building capacity in health sciences and championing evidence-based solutions for public health. She is passionate about mentoring the next generation of scientists, advocating for women in STEM, and leading innovative community-based research that bridges science and policy.
Our Fellows
