MIAS FACULTY LIST

Listed here are the current faculty for the Maryknoll Institute of African Studies 2007 Programs. Click any of the discipline categories to jump to the corresponding list of faculty:

• Social Scientists

• Theologians

• Interdisciplinary Lecturers

• Humanity Lecturers

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Teaches: 

1. African Marriage and Family: Challenge and Change

2. African Cultures: An Overview 

3. Sociology of Development/Underdevelopment in African Religion

 

Curriculum Vitae:

Prof. Paul Achola is a Research Professor based at Kenyatta University. He has a Ph.D. in Social Foundations of Education from the University of Iowa, an MA in Political Science from the University of Iowa, an MA in Political Sociology from the University of Nairobi, and a B.A. from University of Nairobi. He was the former chairman of the Department of Sociology at Kenyatta University.

Teaches: Spirituality and Psychotherapy in African Context.

Curriculum Vitae:

Prof. Kiminyo graduated with a PhD from the University of Alberta, Canada (1973). He was awarded a B.A and an M.A. from the State University of California, Northridge. He trained as a teacher at Kagumo Teachers’ Training College. He has been a director of undergraduate studies and former chairman of department of educational psychology at Kenyatta University. He is currently a Professor of Cross-Cultural Developmental Psychology at Kenyatta University and teaches ‘Spirituality, Personhood and Psychotherapy in African Context’ at MIAS. Among his publications are: Spiritual Personhood Development and Psychotherapy in African Societies;  Child Development, Educational Research and Publications, 1994 and Educational Psychology, Educational Research Publication, 1988.

 

Professor Edward Oyugi, Ph.D. Psychology
Teaches: 

1. Contemporary Political and economic Changes in Kenya

2. African Cultures: An Overview 

3. Sociology of Development/Underdevelopment in African Religion

Curriculum Vitae:
Professor  Edward A. Oyugi holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in the area of Psychology, Education Psychology, Pedagogics and Social Psychology from University of Cologne (German) (1963-71). He was a visiting professor at Bayreuth University (Germany) in African Studies (1985-87). He is currently an associate professor at Kenyatta University.

Professor Douglas Waruta, Ed.D. Philosophy of Christian Education
Teaches: 

1. African Traditional Religion Interprets the Bible

2. African Christian Theology: Historical and Systematic Development 

Curriculum Vitae:
Douglas Wanjohi Waruta is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi. After gaining his B.A. in Philosophy and Religious studies from Hardin-Simmons University Abilene-Texas, he returned to Kenya and joined the University of Nairobi for an M.A. program in Biblical studies (1976). He received his Ed.D. in Philosophy of Christian Education from Southwestern Seminary, Fort Worth-Texas (1980). He is currently the chairman, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi. 

Professor  Mary Getui, Ph.D. Religious Education
Teaches: 

1. African Cultures: An Overview

2. African Marriage and Family: Challenge and Change

3. Gospel and Culture: The African Experience

Curriculum Vitae:
Prof.  Mary N. Getui is the Dean of the School of Humanities and Social sciences, Kenyatta University. She has been the Coordinator of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT) Africa Region. She is also the treasurer of the Association of Theological Institutions in Eastern Africa (ATIEA). She is actively involved in the activities of the Circle of Concerned African Women Theologians. She has published widely in the area of African culture, gender issues, religion and society.

Teaches: African Culture: An Overview

Curriculum Vitae:

Prof. Kitula King’ei was the Chairman of Kiswahili and Other African Languages Department and former Dean of Graduate School, Kenyatta University. He has a B.Ed. and MA from the University of Nairobi and a Ph.D. from Howard University, Washington DC. He wrote ‘A Comparative Study of Kiswahili and Kikamba Proverbs’ for his MA thesis and ‘Language, Culture and Communication: The Role of the Contemporary Swahili Taarab Songs in Kenya’ for his dissertation (1963-1990). He has published numerous books and articles in Kiswahili and English.

 

Dr Joan Burke, Ph.D. Anthropology

Teaches:  Towards the Inculturation of Religious Community Life in Africa

         Curriculum Vitae:

Dr. Joan Burke has a Ph.D. in Social Anthropology from Oxford University.  She is a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur, is an American by birth and has been resident in Africa since 1971.  Her doctoral thesis was on the evolving African expression of religious life based on eight years of experience and field research in Lower Zaire (1980-1988).  She has had a long-time interest in the dynamics of inculturation in Africa.  She is presently working in an NGO position at the United Nations in New York and in 2001published a book titled: Towards the Inculturation of Religious Life in Africa, Paulines Publications, Nairobi.

Dr Hassan Mwakimako, Ph.D. Islamic Studies
Teaches: Introduction to Islam in East Africa

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Hassan Mwakimako did his B.A. and M.A. studies at the University of Nairobi. He was appointed lecturer in Islamics upon his completion of the M.A. degree. He received his Ph.D. in Islamic studies in  May 2003 from  the University of Cape Town, Republic of South Africa. He is one of the beneficiaries of a cooperation program between University of Nairobi and the University of Cape Town. He has been a visiting lecturer at Hekima College and Moi University.

Dr. Michael Katola, Ph.D. Religious Studies
Teaches: 

1. African Traditional Religion: Major Beliefs, Practices and Contemporary Forms

2. Moral Teachings and Practices of African Traditional Religion

3. African Culture: An Overview

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Michael Katola is a Lecturer and a former chairman in the Department of Religious Studies, Kenyatta University. He got a B. Ed. (Arts) from the University of Nairobi, MA and Ph.D. both from Kenyatta University. Apart from wide experience in teaching, he has also done research and published on the Akamba Ethnic group and contemporary issues.

Dr. Cyprian Kavivya, Ph.D. Religious Studies
Teaches: Advanced Field Research Principles and Practice

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Cyprian Kavivya, Executive Assistant to the Director holds a B.A. and M.A. from the University of Nairobi. He is currently a lecturer at Kenyatta University and received his Ph.D. in Religious Studies in October 2003. Dr. Kavivya  has worked in the program since 1993.

Dr. Zacharia Wanakacha Samita, Ph.D. Religious Studies
Teaches: Foundational Field Research Principles and Practice

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Zacharia Wanakacha Samita, Personal Assistant to the Director holds a B.Ed from the University of Nairobi and an M.A and Ph.D. in Religious Studies from Kenyatta University. The latter was awarded in December 2004. He has extensive teaching, research and publishing experience. He has contributed academically in various journals and presented research papers in various national and international forums. He is currently a lecturer at Kenyatta University. Dr. Samita has worked in the program since 1993. 

 

Dr. Emmy Mwenesi Gichinga, Ph.D. Counseling Psychology
Teaches: Spirituality, Personhood and Psychotherapy in an African Context

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Emmy Mwenesi Gichinga is an Assistant Professor and the head of Department of Counseling Studies at Nairobi International School of Theology, Kenya . She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from  University of Nairobi, Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psychology from Wheaton College Graduate School, USA, a Master of African Studies degree from Maryknoll Institute of African Studies of Saint Mary's University of Minnesota USA,  and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from American World University. She has lectured at various educational institutions in Kenya and runs her own clinic for counseling services. 

THEOLOGIANS

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Professor Mercy Oduyoye, Ph.D. (honorary) Theology
Teaches: 

1. African Feminist/Womanist Theology: A Source of African Christian

          Theology
2. Gospel and Culture: The African Experience

Curriculum Vitae:
She is a native of Ghana who has lectured worldwide, including Princeton Theological Seminary. She has served as deputy General secretary of the World Council of Churches, Geneva. Now the Director of the Institute of African Women in Religion and Culture at Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon - Ghana. She was the President of the Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians through 2001. Her books include: Hearing and Knowing; The Will To Arise; Women, Culture & Theological Education edited by West African Association of Theological Institutions; and her work in progress is a book on African Women's Theology. She holds a B.A. and M.A. in theology from Cambridge University.

Dr. Laurenti Magesa, Ph.D. Moral Theology
Teaches: 

1. Moral Teachings and Practices of African Traditional Religion

2. African Traditional Religion: Major Beliefs, Practices and Contemporary Forms

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Laurenti Magesa: Ph.D. (University of Ottawa, Canada) D.Th. (St. Paul University, Canada). Former lecturer and Head of Department of Religious Studies at CHIEA. In 1991, he was a  Scholar-in-Residence and lecturer at Maryknoll School of Theology, New York. He is the author of The Church and Liberation in Africa;  African Religion: The Moral Traditions of Abundant Life; and Anatomy of Inculturation: Transforming the Church in Africa, Co-author of Christian Marriage in Africa, Co-Editor of Jesus in African Christianity and has written numerous articles. 

Dr. Peter Mpagi, Ph.D. Liturgical Theology
Teaches: African Christian Theology: Historical and Systematic Development

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Mpagi is the Head of Department of Religious Studies at Kyambogo University, Uganda. Prior to this he was the chairman of the department of Religious Studies, University of Nairobi, Kikuyu campus, and a senior lecturer at the Kenyatta University in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies. He received his B.A. in Theology from Urbaniana University (Rome) and his Ph.D. with specialization in Liturgical Theology from the Institute of St. Anselm - Rome. He has done pastoral work, lectured in a Major seminary, has been the administrator of church schools and has done research on Baganda traditional rites in relation to Liturgy. He has recently published a book based on the material of this course titled: African Christian Theology: In the Contemporary Context.

Drs. Felicien Nemeyimana, Ph.D. candidate, Counseling and Psychology
Teaches: Justice and Peace in East Africa

Curriculum Vitae:
Drs. Felicien Nemeyimana is currently a doctoral student of the Westminster Theological Seminary. He did his M. Div. at Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology in 1995 and B. Th. at Scott Theological College in 1975. He holds a diploma in Accounting and Certificate in Customer Care, Peace Building and Conflict Management, Humanitarian Challenge: Refugees and Displaced Persons and Communication and Intimacy in Marriage. He is the Executive Director of Peace Building, Healing and Reconciliation (PHARP). Lecturer of Peace Building and Conflict Management at Diakonia College and Daystar University and also the Chairman of Regional Culture of Peace Network.

INTERDISCIPLINARY LECTURERS

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Professor Michael Kirwen, Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Studies
Teaches: 

1. MIAS unique educational method focused on transformation of participants

2. Foundational Field Research Principles and Practice

3. Cross-cultural studies

Curriculum Vitae:
Professor Michael C. Kirwen is the founder and director of the MIAS program. He has engaged in pastoral work and academic research among the Luo people in Tanzania since 1963. He was awarded an interdisciplinary doctorate in Theology and Anthropology from University of St. Michael's College, Toronto (1972). He has taught cross cultural theology and pastoral acculturation both in East Africa and in the United States. 

Dr. Julius Murikwa, Ph.D. Missiology
Teaches: 

1. African Cultures: An Overview
2. African Independent Churches: Authentic Integration or Separation from

         Christianity
3. The Church in Contemporary Africa: Social, Political, and Economic

         Situation

4. Gospel and Culture: The African Experience

5. African Christian Theology: Historical and Systematic Development

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Julius Kaburu Murikwa was formerly a lecturer at Daystar University, Kenya. He has Church ministerial responsibilities with the New Testament Church of God (Kenya). He holds a B.A. from Mid-America Bible College; M.Div. (Honors) from Anderson University School of Theology; M.Th., and D.Miss., Ph.D. in Missiology and cross-cultural studies from Fuller Theological Seminary. He has written three graduate theses: African Traditional Worldview and its Implications for the Communication of the Gospel. (Anderson University, June 1980); A Study of the Kikuyu Culture and the Communication of the Gospel (Fuller Theological Seminary, June 1981); American and Kikuyu Worldview Contrast and the Communication of the Gospel. (Fuller, January 1985); Several articles in local magazines e.g. "Step" and "Today in Africa."

Dr. John Sivalon, Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Studies
Teaches: Sociology of Development/Underdevelopment and African Religion

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. John Sivalon is presently the rector of the Maryknoll Theologate in Chicago. Formerly, he was a lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Dar es Salaam. He has done pastoral duty in the Archdiocese of Dar es Salaam and has served as the national coordinator for the RSAT's Justice and Peace Apostolate in Tanzania. He has an MA in sociology from the University of Dar es Salaam (1980) and was awarded an interdisciplinary doctorate in Theology and Sociology from University of St. Michael's College, Toronto (1990). Dr. Sivalon has compiled and edited Introductory Sociology: A Reader and Lecture Notes, 2000.

HUMANITY LECTURERS

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Dr. Frederick Ochieng'-Odhiambo, Ph.D. Philosophy
Teaches: Sage Philosophy: The Root of African Philosophy and Religion

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Ochieng'-Odhiambo has been a member of the University of Nairobi in the Department of Philosophy since 1985. He was the secretary of the local organizing committee that successfully hosted the World Futures Studies Federation (WFSF) Conference in Nairobi in 1989. This was the first and only time that WFSF has held a conference in Africa South of the Sahara. He received his B.A (hons), M.A. and Ph.D from the University of Nairobi. He has written widely in the areas of social political philosophy and African philosophy. He is a leading scholar in sage philosophy.

Dr. Francis Biryaho, Ph.D. Philosophy
Teaches: Sage Philosophy: The Root of African Philosophy and Religion

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Francis Biryaho is a lecturer at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and a part-time lecturer at the Consolata Institute of Philosophy, Nairobi. He has a Diploma in Philosophy and Religious studies from Apostles of Jesus Seminary, Nairobi, a master of Philosophy and Theology degree from Pontifical Institute of Philosophy from Pune, India and  PhD in Philosophy from Gregorian University, Rome. He is in the process of publishing his thesis into a book on the study of proverbs in the light of Ludwig Wittgenstein with special reference to Bantu of Eastern Africa. 

Dr. Kithure Kindiki, Ph.D. International Law
Teaches: Justice and Peace in East Africa

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Kithure Kindiki is a Lecturer of Law at the University of Nairobi. He is also an Adjunct lecturer, centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria, South Africa and the United States International University, Nairobi. He has a bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from Moi University, Kenya, a Master of Laws (LLM) in international Human rights law and a Ph.D. in international Law from the University of Pretoria, South Africa. He has published fifteen articles in peer-reviewed journals and acted as a consultant for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and other national and international organizations. He has been an acting Dean of the faculty of Law, University of Nairobi and chairman of the Department of Public Law on several occasions. He is currently the coordinator of the Parallel Degree Programmes at the Faculty of Law, University of Nairobi.

Dr. Nicholas Otieno, Ph.D. Divinity
Teaches: Justice and Peace in East Africa

Curriculum Vitae:
Dr. Nicholas Otieno works as a program specialist for the World Council of Churches in the department of International Affairs and Human Security with special focus on Africa. He is also seconded on special projects to the All African Conference of Churches. He is currently the the ecumenical coordinator of the World Social Forum in Africa. He has received several international awards including "The Martin Luther King leadership award for Kenya, " "The Kilan at eighty award" and Apostle of Peace in Africa award" granted by the World Council of churches. He has a Doctoral degree in divinity and a Master of Divinity degree from Yale University. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in philosophy from Pontifical Urbaniana University. 

Drs. Oriare Nyarwath, PhD Candidate in Philosophy
Teaches: Sage Philosophy: The Root of African Philosophy and Religion

Curriculum Vitae:
Drs Oriare Nyarwath is a lecturer in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, University of Nairobi. He has a Master of Arts degree in Philosophy and  Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Philosophy from the University of Nairobi. He teachers part time at Apostles of Jesus Seminary, Lang'ata and Consolata Institute of Philosophy, Nairobi. 

Drs. Kavetsa Adagala, Ph.D. candidate in African Oral Literature
Teaches: Introduction to East African Literature: Focus on Religious Conflicts

Curriculum Vitae:
Kavetsa Adagala is a senior lecturer in the department of Literature, University of Nairobi. Her courses include: Oral Literature, Black Aesthetics, Canadian Literature, American Literature, Afro-American Literature, Caribbean Literature, Latin American Literature, Comparative Literatures of Caribbean, Afro-American and African Literatures (Postgraduate level), Oral Literature (Postgraduate level), and Children's Literature. She is a doctoral candidate in African Oral Literature at SUNY, Buffalo, New York. From 1969 - 73 she was an Instructor in the Third World Studies Program at Goddard College, Vermont and Administrative Assistant from 1972 - 73. She has been involved in numerous research projects, conferences and seminars and has numerous publications. She is a commissioner on the Constitutional Review Commission of Kenya.