Contact Details
Department of Language and Literature Education
School of Arts and Social Sciences (MMUST)
P.O. Box 190-50100
Kakamega, KENYA
Office no. SPD Block B Room 502
Kakamega-Webuye Road
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1020-8916
ResearcherID: GLQ-7817-2022
Google Scholar: Gt2_OLoAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao
X:@LMandillah
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-lucy-mandillah-7b3562127/?originalSubdomain=ke
Dr. Lucy K.L. Mandillah
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)-1st Class Hons- in English, Linguistics, Literature, and Education 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. With over 15 years of experience in university teaching, research, mentorship, and postgraduate supervision, she has made a notable impact on the academic community. As an accomplished scholar and educator, Dr. Mandillah has authored over 30 publications, including books, book chapters, and peer-reviewed journal articles. 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. She has successfully supervised three PhD and ten Master’s students to completion.
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 Africa Science Leadership Programme (KeASLP), 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.
Some of her key published works include: -
- Lucy Mandillah. Psycho-Linguistic Communication Strategies Employed by Second-Hand Clothing Vendors to Influence Consumer Buying Behaviour at Gikomba Market, Kenya. Published on 31st January 2025 in Journal of Linguistics, Literary and Communication Studies. DOI:https://doi.org/10.58721/jllcs.v4i1.913
- Lucy Mandillah, Annette Okoth, Pamela Buhere, Lydia Anyonje, Christine Wanjala, James Bill Ouda, Judith Achoka. Gender inclusion in research among academic members of staff: Lessons from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya. Published on 13th April 2023 in Nairobi Journal of Humanities and social sciences.DOI: https://doi.org/10.58256/njhs.v7i2.1094
- Khachula, A.A, Bernard Angatia , B.A & Mandillah K.L (2021). ‘Constraints of Attaining Pragmatic Relevance from English into Selected Luhya Varieties in Interpreter-mediated Sermons.’ International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, Vol. 4 (5) DOI: 10.32996/ijllt.2021.4.5.23; ISSN: 2617-0299 (Online)
- Wamalwa, M., Mandillah, K.L & Atichi, R. (2021) “The functionality of Lexico-Pragmatic Strategies in Selected Lubukusu Secular Music Texts” Modern Languages and Literatures Journal, Volume 2, (2) https://royalliteglobal.com/languages-and-literature.
- Mandillah, K.L (2020). African Indigenous Languages and Culture for Peace and Sustainable Development through Education. Journal of Education and Social Sciences, Vol.1ISSN:22223-490X, Kakamega.
- Barasa, D.& Mandillah, K. L. (2020). ‘Upscaling Indigenous Mechanisms in Delivering Justice Affordably and Efficiently’ In Indigenous African Justice System: .,Eds: Utafaiti Foundation, Eldoret @ 2020 ISBN (978-9966-26-233-2 Pages 130-159.
- Achesa, R., Mandillah, K.L & Barasa, D. (2019). ‘The Role of Lwidakho on English Word Stress Perception and Production.’ International Journal of Linguistics, Literature and Translation, Vol. 2(6) Dol 10.32996.6.
- Mandillah, K.L. Lucy* and Georges-Ivo Ekosse (2019) “African Totems: Cultural Heritage for Sustainable Environmental Conservation.” Conservation Science in Cultural Heritage Journal. DOAJ/ROAD Open Access; Issue No. 18-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.6092/issn.1973-9494/9235
- Mandillah, K.L. (2019) “Kenya Curriculum Reforms and Mother Tongue Education: Issues, Challenges and Implementation Strategies.” Journal of Education as Change. ISSN 1947-9417 (online) @ UNISA Vol 23/2019#33 79/18pgs. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.25159/1947-9417/3379
- Mandillah K. L. & Kabaji, E. (2016). Gender Perspectives and Human Rights in the Language of Advertising: A Case of Print and Electronic Media in Kenya. In Media and Information Literacy: Reinforcing Human Rights, Countering Radicalization and Extremism: Edited by Jagtar Singh, Paulette Kerr and Esther Hamburger; © UNESCO 2016 ISBN 978- 92-3-100177-2 (251-263).UNESCO Open Access Repository (http://www.unesco.org/open-access/terms-useccbysa-en).
Research and Innovation Projects.
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Strengthening Gender Mainstreaming in Research Excellence and Leadership among Female Academic Staff in Higher Education: A case of Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
- Barriers to Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Western Kenya-National Institute for Healthcare Research(NIHR).
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Year: 2025
Funding Source: The Tropical Health Educational Trust (CwPAMS 2.5)
Name of Research Project: AMS and Community Pharmacy
My Research Expertise: Social Scientist—Health Communication, GESI and community engagement
Amount: £40,155
Researchers:Dr. Lucy Mandillah—Researcher (Communication/Language/GESI Expert)
Others: Dr. A. Sifuna (MMUST Lead), Dr. L. Olima (KCTRH Lead), Ms. Evelyne Brealey (Cambridge Univ. Hospitals-UK Lead), et al
Status: Ongoing -
Year: 2024–2025
Funding Source: Carnegie Trust: Carnegie RIG Grant Award
Name of Research Project: Multilingualism in conflict: Investigating the linguistic landscape of Kenyan-Ugandan border towns (RIG013308)
My Research Expertise: Multilingualism
Amount: USD 14,965
Researchers:
Dr. Lucy Mandillah—MMUST PI-Kenyan Lead
Others: Dr. Reilly Colin (University of Sterling-UK PI-UK Lead), Dr. Elisabeth (University of Sterling-UK)
Status: Ongoing -
Year: 2023
Funding Source: The British Academy & BIEA
Name of Research Project: A comparative study of historical and contemporary transitional justice processes in Nigeria and Kenya
My Research Expertise: Indigenous Knowledge, Culture, Transitional Justice
Amount: £3,932
Researchers:
Dr. Lucy Mandillah—MMUST PI-Kenyan Lead
Others: Dr. Ini-Dele-Adedeji (SOAS, University of London)
Status: Ongoing -
Year: 2023
Funding Source: The Tropical Health Educational Trust (CwPAMS 2)
Name of Research Project: Kakamega Cambridge Health Partnership—Kakamega County Centre of Excellence in Antimicrobial Stewardship Scheme 2 (CwPAMS 2)
My Research Expertise: Health Sciences: Gender & Health Communication
Amount: £99,995
Researchers:Dr. Lucy Mandillah—Researcher (Communication/Language/GESI Expert)
Others: Dr. A. Sifuna (MMUST Lead), Dr. L. Olima (KCTRH Lead), Ms. Evelyne Brealey (Cambridge Univ. Hospitals-UK Lead), et al
Status: Completed -
Year: 2023
Funding Source: The British Academy & BIEA
Name of Research Project: A comparative examination of community radio as a space of transmission, reception, and encounter for peacebuilding in Kenya
My Research Expertise: Communication and Media, Language and Diplomacy
Amount: £4,000
Researchers:Dr. Lucy Mandillah—MMUST PI-Kenyan Lead
Others: Dr. Ariana Phillips (University of Leeds-UK PI-UK Lead), Dr. Maureen Syallow (Strathmore University-Kenya), Dr. Fabien Cante (University College London)
Status: Completed -
Year: 2023
Funding Source: University Research Fund-MMUST
Name of Research Project: Documentation of the Drums of Western Kenya: The Greatest Treasure of Culture
My Research Expertise: Indigenous Knowledge, Language and Culture
Amount: 10,000
Researchers:Mandillah et al—Co-PI
Others: Barasa, D. PI; Anyonje
Status: Completed -
Year: 2023
Funding Source: University Research Fund-MMUST
Name of Research Project: Documentation of Traditional Knowledge Associated with Medicinal Plants for Cancer Treatment
My Research Expertise: Indigenous Knowledge, Language and Culture, Indigenous Medicine, Public Health
Amount: 1,000,000
Researchers:Mandillah et al—Co-PI
Others: Tecla S., Wanjala C., Wanzala M.
Status: Completed -
Year: 2022–2023
Funding Source: Royal Society of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene (RSTMH)/NIHR
Name of Research Project: Barriers to Implementation of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Western Kenya
My Research Expertise: Health, Communication & Culture
Amount: £1,000
Researchers:Mandillah, K.L.—PI
Status: Completed -
Year: 2022
Funding Source: University Research Fund-MMUST
Name of Research Project: Examining African Cultural Practices in the Wake of Covid-19
My Research Expertise: Health and Culture
Amount: £4,000
Researchers:Mandillah, K.L. et al—PI
Others: Kassily, J.; Barasa, D.; Anyonje, L.; Kariaga, P.
Status: Completed -
Year: 2021
Funding Source: The Fleming Fund, Cambridge, UK (Grant No. CwE.A15)
Name of Research Project: Strengthen Antimicrobial Surveillance (AMS) at Kakamega County Teaching & Referral Hospital
My Research Expertise: Health Sciences
Amount: 19,940,000
Researchers:Dr. Lucy Mandillah—Co-PI (Communication/Language/GESI Expert)
Others: Dr. A. Sifuna (MMUST Lead), Dr. L. Olima (KCTRH Lead), Evelyne Brealey (Cambridge Univ. Hospitals-UK Lead), et al
Status: Completed -
Year: 2021
Funding Source: University Research Fund-MMUST
Name of Research Project: Gender Inclusion in Career Progression among Academic Staff at MMUST
My Research Expertise: Gender
Amount: 6,000
Researchers:
Mandillah, K.L. et al—PI
Others: Achoka JSK; Okoth A.; Anyonje L.; Ouda B.; Buhere P.; Wanjala C.
Status: Completed -
Year: 2021
Funding Source: University Research Fund-MMUST
Name of Research Project: An Evaluation of Teaching/Learning Processes at MMUST
My Research Expertise: Pedagogy
Amount: 6,000
Researchers:Mandillah, K.L. et al—Co-PI
Others: Omuterema, S.—PI; Okoth, A.; Ouda, B.
Status: Completed -
Year: 2020/2021
Funding Source: University Research Fund-MMUST
Name of Research Project: Online Teaching and Learning During Covid-19 in Kenyan Universities
My Research Expertise: Pedagogy
Amount: 10,000
Researchers:Mandillah, K.L. et al—Co-PI
Others: Buhere, P.—PI; Anyonje, L.; Wanjala, C.
Status: Completed -
Year: 2020
Funding Source: Institutional Research Fund-MMUST
Name of Research Project: Research Capacity among Academic Staff of MMUST, Kenya
My Research Expertise: Research
Amount: 10,000
Researchers:Mandillah, K.L. et al—Co-PI
Others: Muyekho—PI; Shiundu, J.; Okoth, T.; Musera, A.; Achoka JSK
Status: Completed -
Year: 2017–2018
Funding Source: PDRF Research Grant (University of Venda, South Africa)
Name of Research Project: A Gender Analysis of Cultural-Semantics in Death Rituals and Taboos among Tachoni and Vavhenda
My Research Expertise: Gender
Amount: 5,000
Researchers:Mandillah, K.L.—Researcher—PI
Status: Completed
