Contact details

Vice Chancellor.

Mainde Muliro University of Science and Technology

P.O. Box 190-50100

Kakamega, KENYA

Office no:  ABA

Kakamega-Webuye Road

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

ResearcherID: GLN-7674-2022

ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6049-2834

Google Scholar: kaOP1LoAAAAJ&hl=en

 Prof. Solomon Igosangwa Shibairo

Prof. Solomon Igosangwa Shibairo is the current Vice Chancellor of Masinde Muliro University of Science and technology.  

Academic Qualifications:
He holds a PhD in Plant Science (University of British Columbia) 1996, M.Sc.Agronomy (University of Nairobi) 1989 and B.Sc.Agriculture (University of Nairobi)) 1985.

Leadership positions:
Prof.Solomon Shibairo served as the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Academic and Student Affairs at Kibabii University from 2015 to 2016, after having served in acting capacity as Deputy Vice chancellor in charge of Academic Research and Extension between 2013 and 2015 in the same university. He also held other notable leadership positions as Deputy Principal in charge of Academic Research and Extension at Kibabii University College, Dean of Faculty of Agriculture at UoN, where he managed academic administrative, outreach and income generating activities of the faculty.Prof Shibairo served as the sections head of Crop science and Horticulture (thematic head) where he coordinated activities of the sections which included Curriculum Development, Development of Strategic Plan and Income Generating Activities, drawing teaching allocations, budget and procurement schedules and leave authorization.

Work experience:
Prof.Shibairo has taught courses in agronomy, horticulture, post-harvest and seed science and technology at Masters and undergraduate levels. He has worked as an external examiner Egerton university, Jomo Kenyatta university of Agriculture and technology and Maseno University and has supervised 37 students at Masters and PhD levels.

Research and Research interests:
Prof.Shibairo has an immense interest in the areas of horticulture, crop production and crop physiology.
He has won and coordinated over eight grants in all areas of plant science and was the principal investigator in three main projects namely: ‘Cassava Post-harvest Value Addition for Improved Food and Nutrition Security and better Livelihoods in Kenya funded by East African Agricultural Productivity Project’: ‘Screening finger millet for production and nutrient content to improve livelihoods of small–scale farmers in drought prone areas of Eastern Province of Kenya’ funded by Regional Universities Forum and ‘Enhancing Kenya's food security in the face of climate change through increased potato productivity” funded by Kenya’s National Council of Science and Technology (NCST)’.

Professional membership:
He is a member of Kenya National academy of Science, Food science and Technology Platform of Kenya, Horticulture society of Kenya, African Crop science society among other professional bodies.

Some of his Major Publications:

1. J. N. Mafuta, E. Chepkoech, R. Onamu,S. I. Shibairo, L. S. Wamocho. Genetic Diversity of African Nightshade (Solanum nigrum L.) Complex Accessions from Western Kenya. Published on 29th July 2022 in Africa Environmental Review. http://ojs.uoeld.ac.ke/index.php/aerj/article/view/53
2. Janepher N. Mafuta, Rose Onamu, Solomon I. Shibairo, Leonard S. Wamocho. Evaluation of Resistance of African Nightshade (Solanum nigrum complex) Acessions to Bacterial Wilt (Ralstonia solanacearum) in Western Kenya.African Journal of Education Science and Technology. June 2022. http://ajest.info/index.php/ajest/article/view/756
3. Chemining’wa, G. N., Ngeno, J. K., Hutchinson, M. J. and S. I. Shibairo. 2018. Influence of P Fertiliser on Nodulation, Growth and Nutrient Content of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculataL.) in Acidic Soils of South Western Kenya. International Journal of Plant & Soil Science25(3): 1-12. DOI:https://doi.org/10.9734/IJPSS/2018/44765.
4. Madegwa, Y., Onwonga, R., Shibairo, S., and G. Karuku. 2016. Farmer Perception andAdaptation Strategies on Climate Change in Lower Eastern Kenya: A Case of FingerMillet (Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn) Production. Journal of Agricultural Science: 8(12): 33-40. DOI:https://doi.org/10.5539/jas.v8n12p33.
5. Shibairo, S.I., Madegwa, Y. M. and R. N. Onwonga. 2016. Finger millet (Eleusine corocana) productionin lower Eastern, Kenya: Status, constraints and opportunities. British Journal of Applied Scienceand Technology. 14(6): 1-10. DOI:https://doi.org/10.9734/BJAST/2016/16075.
6. Gacheru, P.K., ABONG', G.O., Okoth, M.W., Lamuka, P.O., Shibairo, S. and C. M. Katama. 2015. Cyanogenic Content, Aflatoxin Level and Quality of Dried Cassava Chips and Flour Sold in Nairobiand Coastal Regions of Kenya. Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science. 3(3): 197-206. DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.3.3.03.
7.  Magomere, O. T., Kahiu Ngugi; Shibairo, S.I., Mutitu E.; Obukosia, S. 2015. Real time PCR mediatedoccurrence of Sorghum bicolar alleles in wild sorghum populations. African Journal ofBiotechnology. 14 (7): 551-568.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.5897/AJB2014.13672.
8. Ochieno D.M.W., Karoney E.M., Muge E.K., Nyaboga E.N., Baraza D.L., Shibairo S.I. & Naluyange V. (2021). Rhizobium-linked nutritional and phytochemical changes under multitrophic functional contexts in Sustainable Food Systems. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2020.604396.
9. S.I.Shibairoa, M.K.Upadhyayaa, P.M.A.Toivonenb. Postharvest moisture loss characteristics of carrot (Daucus carota L.) cultivars during short-term storage.Scientia Horticulturae
   Volume 71, Issues 1–2, November 1997, Pages 1-12. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4238(97)00077-0.
10. Solomon IShibairo, Mahesh KUpadhyaya, Peter M.AToivonen, potential, Changes in water potential, osmotic potential, and tissue electrolyte leakage during mass loss in carrots stored under different conditions.Scientia Horticulturae. Volume 95, Issues 1–2, 2 August 2002, Pages 13-21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0304-4238(02)00034-1.
11. S. I. Shibairo, M. K. Upadhyaya, P. M. A. Toivonen. Influence of preharvest water stress on postharvest moisture loss of carrots (Daucus carota L.).Published online: 07 Nov 2015.The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1998.11510984.
12. S. I. Shibairo, M. K. Upadhyaya, P. M. A. Toivonen. Influence of preharvest water stress on postharvest moisture loss of carrots (Daucus carota L.).Published online: 07 Nov 2015. The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1998.11510984.
13. Charles Lung’aho, George N. Chemining’wa, Yong-Bi Fu, Solomon I. Shibairo, Margaret J. Hutchinson & Humberto G. Paniagua. Genetic Diversity of Kenyan Potato Germplasm Revealed by Simple Sequence Repeat Markers. Published: 09 September 2011 in Springer.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12230-011-9208-1.
14. Cecilia M. Onyango, Solomon I. Shibairo, Jasper K. Imungi, Jeremy Harbinson. The Physico-Chemical Characteristics and Some Nutritional Values of Vegetable Amaranth Sold in Nairobi-Kenya. Published online: 28 Jul 2008.Ecology of Food and Nutrition.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03670240802003926.
15. Solomon I. Shibairo, Mahesh K. Upadhyaya, Peter M. A. Toivonen. Potassium nutrition and postharvest moisture loss in carrots (Daucus carota L.). Published online: 07 Nov 2015,The Journal of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14620316.1998.11511061.
16. Solomon I. Shibairo, Mahesh K. Upadhyaya, and Peter M.A. Toivonen. Replacement of Postharvest Moisture Loss by Recharging and Its Effect on Subsequent Moisture Loss during Short-term Storage of Carrots. Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21273/JASHS.123.1.141.
17. Iris Bitterlich, Mahesh K. Upadhyaya and Solomon I. Shibairo. Weed Control in Cole Crops and Onion (Allium cepa) Using Ammonium Nitrate. Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 June 2017. DOI: DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S0043174500094984.
18. George Ooko Abong, Victoria Claire Makungu Ndanyi, Archileo Kaaya, Solomon Shibairo, Michael Wandayi Okoth, Peter Obimbo Lamuka, Nicanor Obiero Odongo, Elizabeth Wanjekeche, Joseph Mulindwa and Peter Sopade. A Review of Production, Post-Harvest Handling and Marketing of Sweetpotatoes in Kenya and Uganda.Dec 2016 in Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal. DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.4.3.03
19. Patrick Kamau Gacheru, George Ooko Abong’, Michael Wandayi Okoth, Peter Obimbo Lamuka, Solomon A Shibairo and Christine Masha Katama. Cyanogenic Content, Aflatoxin Level and Quality of Dried Cassava Chips and Flour Sold in Nairobi and Coastal Regions of Kenya.Published:Oct 2018 in American Journal of Potato Research. DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.3.3.03.
20. Richard Ombui Nyankanga, Winnie Wanjiku Murigi & Solomon Igosangwa Shibairo. Effect of Packaging Material on Shelf Life and Quality of Ware Potato Tubers Stored at Ambient Tropical Temperatures.Published: 29 May 2018 in Springer.DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11540-018-9377-0.
21. George Ooko Abong’, Solomon Shibairo, Elizabeth Wanjekeche, Joshua Ogendo, Tom Wambua, Peter Lamuka, Peter Arama, Michael Okoth, Richard Mulwa, Margaret Kamidi, Zadoc Mcosore, and Christine Katama Masha. Post-Harvest Practices, Constraints and Opportunities Along Cassava Value Chain in Kenya.Published:Aug 2016 in Current Research in Nutrition and Food Science Journal. DOI : https://dx.doi.org/10.12944/CRNFSJ.4.2.05
22. W.O. Owino, P. Yumbya, S. Shibairo, J. Ambuko. Efficacy of Activebag® packaging on postharvest quality of purple passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims).Published:Jul 2016 in Acta Horticulturae. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17660/ActaHortic.2016.1120.12.

View full CV here: