Dr. Monicah Karara joined the School of Pharmacy in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree as well as a Masters of Pharmacy degree in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Karara worked in various positions as a Pharmacist with the Ministry of Health, Government of Kenya. Dr. Karara’s research interests include implementation science, infectious diseases as well as non-communicable diseases.
Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy
Welcome to the department of pharmacology and pharmacognosy.
Dr. Monica Karara, Chair of Department
Initially the department was called the Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics.
The first COD was Dr. Alex Kigundu Muriithi followed by Dr Veronica V. Abwova. It was then split in June 2020 into two:
1) the Department of Pharmaceutics where Dr. Veronica V. Abwova was the first COD followed by the current COD Dr. Ronald O. Wandera and
2) Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry under the first and current COD Dr. Boniface M. Thuo.
Our department was established following the launch of the School of Pharmacy (SOPHARM) in the year 2014 under the College of Health Sciences, JKUAT. Since its inception, the Department has been coordinating the teaching of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacognosy in the school of Pharmacy and other departments within the university. We are a diverse team of pharmacologists, pharmacognosy experts and clinical pharmacists with a wealth of experience in their respective areas of specialization. Through collaboration and interdisciplinary approaches, we strive to equip the students with knowledge and skills necessary to meet the healthcare needs in Kenya and beyond. We are also committed to carrying out research that addresses healthcare challenges. As such, our two technicians have assisted many students, staff and other researchers to carry out tests and analytical procedures in our laboratory. As we forge ahead, we are looking forward to the launch of academic programs at both Masters and PhD levels.
Undergraduate Programmes
Under review
Master of Science in Pharmacology (Drug Design and Development)
Doctor of Philosophy in Pharmacology
Dr. Linus Wafula
Dr. Wafula, joined the School of Pharmacy in 2011. He holds a Bachelor of pharmacy degree and Master of Pharmacy degree in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Wafula worked as a Senior Pharmacist in the Ministry of Health. Dr. Wafula has research interest Clinical Pharmacy; specifically, Patient-centred pharmaceutical care of non-communicable diseases and the outcomes of Pharmacists’ interventions in patient management. Dr. Wafula is the founding and current Head of Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy.
Dr. Lily Kimuhu
Dr. Kimuhu joined the School of Pharmacy in the year 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University Chennai, India and a Master of Pharmacy degree in Clinical Pharmacy (in the specialty area of Paediatrics and
Infectious diseases), from the University of Nairobi. Besides, she also holds a Diploma in Health Systems Management from Galilee College, Israel. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy Dr. Kimuhu worked in the Ministry of Health, Kiambu as the County Head of
Pharmaceutical services. Her research interests include Pharmacotherapeutic management of chronic and infectious diseases, Pharmacovigilance and Health systems strengthening.
Dr. Joseph Mbinji Omale
Dr. Joseph Mbinji Omale joined the School of Pharmacy in the Department of Pharmacology & Pharmacognosy in January 2023. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy Degree as well as a Masters of Science Degree in Pharmacognosy and Complementary Medicine from the University of Nairobi and currently He is pursuing Doctor of Philosophy Degree in same institution. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Mbinji worked as the Head of Health Products and Technologies Unit with the County Government of Kisumu in the Department of Health. Dr. Mbinji research interests include Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, Product Formulation and Intellectual Property.
Mr. Stephen Njeru Karanja
Mr. Karanja joined the School of Pharmacy in June 2013. He holds a BSc in Biotechnology from JKUAT, Higher National Diploma in Biotechnology from Technical University of Kenya and a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology from Kabete Technical Training Institute. Mr. Karanja is enrolled with the Pharmacy and Poisons Board of Kenya (PPB) and is an active member of the Kenya Pharmaceutical Association (KPA). Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Mr Karanja worked as a Senior Pharmaceutical Technologist at Consolata College, Nairobi. Mr. Karanja has research interests in Pharmaceutical Biotechnology and a wealth of experience in Pharmacology.
Dr. Julia Kimondo
Dr. Julia Kimondo joined the School of Pharmacy in February 2016 as a Lecturer in Pharmacognosy. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi, an MPharm in Materia Medica (Pharmacognosy) from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China and a PhD in Pharmacognosy and Complimentary Medicine from the University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Kimondo worked as a lecturer and Head of Department (Pharmacognosy) at Mount Kenya University. Dr. Kimondo’s research interests includes ethnobotany, herbal drug development, metabolic disorders and antioxidants. She has a wealth of experience in medicinal plants, ethnopharmacological surveys, animal and cell studies and phytochemistry.
Ms. Mercy Nasike Musanga
Ms. Musanga joined JKUAT School of Pharmacy in December 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Nutrition and Dietetics in addition to a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Technology. Currently, Ms. Musanga is pursuing an Msc in Nutrition and Dietetics at Kenyatta University. She is enroled with the pharmacy and poisons board (PPB) and the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI). Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, she worked as a Project Pharmaceutical Technologist at KAVI-Institute of Clinical Research, the University of Nairobi.
Ms. Musanga has interests in clinical research monitoring, integrated management systems, drug-food interaction and nutrition supplementation in enhancing recovery mechanism. She also has a wealth of experience in clinical trials for research projects in vaccine development.
Dr. Godfrey Mayoka
Dr. Mayoka joined the School of Pharmacy in May 2013. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi, an MSc in Drug Discovery from University College London School of Pharmacy, United Kingdom and a PhD in Drug Discovery from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Dr. Mayoka’s research interests include drug discovery and development, therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacogenetics. Besides being a Commonwealth Scholar, Dr. Mayoka is a joint European and Developing Country Trials Partnership-Africa Research Excellence Fund Fellow.
Dr. Alex Kigundu Muriithi, MPharm, PhD (Volgograd, Russia)
Dr. Alex Kigundu Muriithi who is the current Dean and founding Chairman, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics, joined the School of Pharmacy in 2013. He holds a Master of Pharmacy degree (combined with the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree) and a PhD in Pharmaceutical Chemistry from the Volgograd State Medical University, Volgograd, Russia. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Muriithi worked as a Pharmacist in the Ministry of Health and as a Lecturer at Mount Kenya University, Thika. Dr. Muriithi has research interest in Organic synthesis of Uracil derivatives with diverse pharmacological activity.
Email: akigundu@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Abwova Veronica Vugutsa
Dr. Abwova joined the School of Pharmacy in 2015 and is the current Chair, Department of Pharmaceutics. She holds a Bachelor of pharmacy degree and a Master of Pharmacy degree in Industrial Pharmacy from The University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy Dr. Abwova worked at AIC Kijabe Hospital as the Pharmacy Manager. Dr. Abwova’s research interest is in Pharmaceutical Product Development. Previously, Dr. Abwova was the Chair of the joint Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Pharmaceutics.
Email: vabwova@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Linus Makokha Wafula
Dr. Wafula, joined the School of Pharmacy in 2011. He holds a Bachelor of pharmacy degree and Master of Pharmacy degree in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Wafula worked as a Senior Pharmacist in the Ministry of Health. Dr. Wafula has research interest Clinical Pharmacy; specifically, Patient-centred pharmaceutical care of non-communicable diseases and the outcomes of Pharmacists’ interventions in patient management. Dr. Wafula is the founding and current Head of Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacognosy, School of Pharmacy.
Email: lwafula@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Isaac Kimani Githaiga
Dr. Isaac Kimani joined the School of Pharmacy in 2013. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in International Business Management from United States International University-Africa. Dr. Kimani is currently pursuing his Ph.D at the JKUAT School of Business. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Kimani worked at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) as the Head of Distribution for the East African market. Among Dr. Kimani’s research interests are pharmaceutical supply chain management for health commodities and technologies, Regulatory affairs, International pharmaceutical trade and diplomacy, Health economics & Pharmacoeconomics, Pharmaceutical Policy, leadership and Social Behavioral Pharmacy. Dr. Kimani has a wealth of experience and offers trainings and consultancy in management of global manufacturing and supply of pharmaceutical products, validation of manufacturing systems, Good Manufacturing Practices, Good Distribution Practices and Regulatory affairs.
Email: isaac.kimani@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Boniface Mburu Thuo
Dr. Thuo joined the School of Pharmacy in 2018 and is the current Chair, Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and Masters in Pharmacy (in the speciality area of Pharmaceutical analysis) degrees from the University of Nairobi. Dr. Thuo has worked as a pharmacist in various positions with the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Health and the County Government of Kakamega. He then moved into academia to lecture at Mount Kenya University prior to his appointment at the School of Pharmacy, JKUAT. Dr. Thuo’s research interests include drug discovery for neglected diseases and cancer and has a wealth of experience in medicinal chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis.
Email: boniface.thuo@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Godfrey Mayoka
Dr. Mayoka joined the School of Pharmacy in May 2013. He holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi, an MSc in Drug Discovery from University College London School of Pharmacy, United Kingdom and a PhD in Drug Discovery from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Dr. Mayoka’s research interests include drug discovery and development, therapeutic drug monitoring and pharmacogenetics. Besides being a Commonwealth Scholar, Dr. Mayoka is a joint European and Developing Country Trials Partnership-Africa Research Excellence Fund Fellow.
Email: godfrey.mayoka@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Monicah Karara
Dr. Monicah Karara joined the School of Pharmacy in 2013. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree as well as a Masters of Pharmacy degree in Clinical Pharmacy from the University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Karara worked as a Pharmacist with the Ministry of Health, Government of Kenya. Dr. Karara’s research interests include infectious disease and internal medicine and has a wealth of experience in implementation science.
Email: mkarara@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Julia Kimondo
Dr. Julia Kimondo joined the School of Pharmacy in February 2016 as a Lecturer in Pharmacognosy. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi, an MPharm in Materia Medica (Pharmacognosy) from Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, China and a PhD in Pharmacognosy and Complimentary Medicine from the University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Kimondo worked as a lecturer and Head of Department (Pharmacognosy) at Mount Kenya University. Dr. Kimondo’s research interests includes ethnobotany, herbal drug development, metabolic disorders and antioxidants. She has a wealth of experience in medicinal plants, ethnopharmacological surveys, animal and cell studies and phytochemistry.
Email: jkimondo@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Ososo Ronald Wandera
Dr. Wandera joined the School of Pharmacy in August 2018. He holds a Bachelors of Pharmacy degree and a Masters of Pharmacy degree in Industrial Pharmacy from The University of Nairobi. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Wandera worked as a Pharmacist at the Ministry of Health and the Migori County Government before gaining a lectureship position at the University of Nairobi, School of Pharmacy. He is currently pursuing a PhD in Pharmaceutics at the University of Nairobi. Dr. Wandera’s research interests includes Pharmaceutical product formulation and development, Quality assurance, Quality control and Good Manufacturing Practices.
Email: ronald.wandera@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Lily Njeri Kimuhu
Dr. Kimuhu joined the School of Pharmacy in the year 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from The Tamilnadu Dr. MGR Medical University Chennai, India and a Master of Pharmacy degree in Clinical Pharmacy (in the specialty area of Paediatrics and Infectious diseases), from the University of Nairobi. Besides, she also holds a Diploma in Health Systems Management from Galilee College, Israel. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy Dr. Kimuhu worked in the Ministry of Health, Kiambu as the County Head of Pharmaceutical services. Her research interests include Pharmacotherapeutic management of chronic and infectious diseases, Pharmacovigilance and Health systems strengthening.
Email: lily.kimuhu@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Jocelyn Wambui Kamau
Dr. Kamau joined JKUAT in 2007. She was the founding dean of the JKUAT School of Pharmacy and served in that capacity from 2014 to 2019. Prior to joining the School of Pharmacy, Dr. Kamau worked as a Pharmacist at Kenyatta National Hospital. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Nairobi and a Masters in Medicinal Chemistry from JKUAT. Dr. Kamau’s research interests include phytochemistry and biological activity of Kenyan medicinal plants.
DONOR FUNDED PROJECTS
Sphier (Strategic Partnerships for Higher Education Innovation and Reform) – Sponsored by Nottingham University in collaboration with other public universities offering Bachelor of Pharmacy and Chemistry Degree Programs 2017- 2021 assisted in the Review of the Bachelor of Program
GeMX (Global Medical Exchange Program 2015-2020) changed to African Forum for Research and Education in Health (AFREhealth) 2020-2023 An interdisciplinary health professional collaboration with universities offering Health related courses in Africa.
