About WARERG
Water Resources and Renewable Energy Research Group (WARERG) consists of enthusiastic experts in the School of Engineering and Built Environment of MMUST dealing with research in natural resources management, efficient engineering design, sustainable water and renewable energy resources.
The world is facing enormous challenges in water and energy security together with their related sectors such as agriculture in the wider context of Water, Energy and Food (WEF) nexus. The challenges in the WEF sectors are compounded by climate change which has increased the frequency of occurrence of extreme events (droughts and floods) which has complicated development planning.

The WARERG deals in research in the following areas
1) Water resources management
2) Water resources engineering design
3) Water sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)
4) Renewable energy technologies
5) Community-led water and energy solutions
6) Wastewater treatment

WARERG Members

Researchers

1. Dr. Edwin K. Kanda
2. Dr. Peter Cherop
3. Dr. Micah Mukolwe
4. Dr. James Owuor
5. Mr. Willis Awandu

Technical Staff

1. Ms. Valery Lutta
2. Mr. Evans Nandasaba

Current research projects

1) Design and Development of Portable Wastewater treatment system
The project is implemented under the leadership of Dr Peter T. Cherop and is funded by the University Research Fund (URF) of MMUST. Other members of the team are Dr Edwin Kanda and Dr James Owuor with technical support from Ms Valery Lutta and Mr Evans Nandasaba. The aim of the project is to develop a prototype for treating wastewater for purposes of re-use.

2) Use of Water Poverty Index in planning for water service provision in Kakamega County
This project is URF funded research and is being implemented under the leadership of Dr Edwin Kanda with Dr Micah Mukolwe and Dr Peter Cherop being the other researchers. Ms Valery Lutta and Mr Evans Nandasaba are the technicians in this project. Ms Dorcas Jepkurgat is an MSc student working on some aspects of this project which as part of her MSc degree in Disaster Preparedness and Environmental Technology.
The project expected outcomes will include the establishment of water availability, accessibility, utility, and capacity of sub-counties in Kakamega County. The environmental activities such as soil water conservation measures in the County will be documented and the water poverty indices are developed which will help in mapping of water the current and future vulnerable zones in the County is generated

3) Water supply and sanitation project in Vihiga County
This is a project which is part of a Community Health, Teaching and Research Centre is a collaboration between the School of Engineering of University of New Mexico, USA and the School of Engineering and Built Environment of MMUST. The project aims at design and construction of water supply and civil works infrastructure, integrated energy solutions and integrated solid and liquid waste management including medical wastes. This project will lead to improved access to health and water access to the community in Vihiga County. Being situated in a gold mining area, this project will be help resolve conflicts between gold miners and water users in the community.
This project will expose our engineering students to an international working group and real case studies. Additionally, with the potential to revamp our postgraduate programs with the help of UNM.

The Kenyan team involved in this project include Dr Edwin Kanda, Mr Willis Awandu, Dr Peter Cherop, Dr Micah Mukolwe and Dr Suzzy N. Kimokoti (from the Department of Peace and Conflict Studies in the School of Disaster Management and Humanitarian Assistance. Other members include Ms Valery Lutta and Ms Emily Atieno Olewe. The project includes also Dr Nicholas Oyie from the School of Engineering and Technology in Muranga University of Technology.

4) Determination of Rainwater Harvesting potential in MMUST
This is part of an Institutional Research funded by MMUST titled “Assessment of Operations and Functions in Masinde Muliro University towards Carbon
Management and Transformation into a Green and Sustainable University” led by Dr Humphrey Agevi from Department of Biological Sciences in the School of Natural Sciences (SONAS) as the Principal Investigator. The sub-component on determination of Rainwater harvesting potential is led by Dr Edwin Kanda. The other members of the research team include Dr Dr.Umulkher A. Abdillahi from School of Business and Economics, Mr Nicholas Kitungulu and Dr Regina N. Bwire from SONAS.
The overarching goal of the project is the development of Environmental Management policy for MMUST as a significant step towards achieving ISO 14001:2015 accreditation.