Dr. Esther Machana Magembe
LECTURER
AGRICULTURE AND VETERINARY SCIENCES
Biography
Dr. Esther Machana Magembe is an Agricultural Economist at Kibabii University in Kenya. She holds a PhD in Agricultural Economics and Natural Resources Management from Moi University, Kenya. Her research, development initiatives, and operational work address a range of policy-relevant issues related to poverty, development, and the commercialization of agriculture in Africa. Her specific research interests include environmental conservation and valuation, natural resources management, livestock farming systems, food security, intra-household dynamics, and behavioral economics, with a focus on household-level applications using field experiments. She has conducted surveys in TransMara West region and Nairobi County in Kenya, which have resulted in several publications. Additionally, she has participated in various workshops and conferences to disseminate knowledge. Efforts have been driven by the need to address the challenges facing smallholder farmers in Kenya and to improve their livelihoods, in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Academic Qualification
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Collaborative MSc in Agricultural and Applied Economics
| Egerton University/University of Pretoria[2008-2011]
PhD in Agricultural Economics and Resources management
| Moi University [2018-2024]
Field of Specialization
Agricultural and Applied Economics with a bias to Natural resources management and valuation.
Membership of Professional Bodies
2020 to date: African Association of Agricultural Economists. Member
2018 to date: Kenya DAAD Scholars Association. Membership Number: PKZ: 91606278
2013 to date: Horticultural Association of Kenya. Member
Professional Training and Development
10th to 14th December 2015
Short course training on Sustainable agriculture/Egerton University/Njoro-Kenya
Participation Certificate
28th March-1st April 2017
Participated in Research based Analytical Retooling Workshop/AERC/Addis-Ababa, Ethiopia
Participation Certificate
May-September 2026
Grant writing and funding program 2026/Leaders of Africa institute/Accra-Ghana
Certificate of participation
Career Progression
Career Progression
2013-2014
Assistant Lecturer
Meru University of Science and Technology, Meru-Kenya
Reporting to: Head of department [School of Agriculture and Food Sciences]
Key Achievements
- preparation of course outlines, lecture notes, continuous assessment tests, Class assignments and main exams
- 2.Teaching,-blended teaching,
- 3. mentorship of agriculture students
- 4. participation in research teams for grant proposal writting and research projects implementation
- 5. participation in curriculum development.
- 6. Administration of exams, marking and quick processing of students marks
2015-2016
Assistant Lecturer
university of Kabianga-Kericho, Kenya
Reporting to: Head of department[ Agriculture and Biosystems]
Key Achievements
- 1. preparation of course outlines, lecture notes, continuous assessment tests, Class assignments and main exams
- 2.Teaching,-blended teaching,
- 3. mentorship of agriculture students
- 4. participation in research teams for grant proposal writing and research projects implementation
- 5. participation in curriculum development.
- 6. Administration of exams, marking and quick processing of students marks
Feb 2016-Date
Lecturer
Kibabii University
Reporting to: Head of department(Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences)
Key Achievements
- 1. preparation of course outlines, lecture notes, continuous assessment tests, Class assignments and main exams
- 2.Teaching,-blended teaching,
- 3. mentorship of agriculture students
- 4. participation in research teams for grant proposal writing and research projects implementation
- 5. participation in curriculum development.
- 6. Administration of exams, marking and quick processing of students marks
Service in University Committees
Service in University Committees
Leadership and Management Roles
Leadership and Management Roles
Trustee [2026-2031]- University academic staff union(UASU)-Kibabii University Chapter
Trustee [2021-2026]- University academic staff union(UASU)-Kibabii University Chapter
Service to the Community
Service to the Community
2023-date
Kanga Senior School, Kenya
Role:Parent Association Representative
2018-2022
Namamuka Secondary School, Bungoma Kenya
Role:BOM- member
2022-2025
AgoroSare Senior School, Oyugis-Kenya
Role:Parent Teacher Association Representative
Service in National, Regional and International Committees
Service in National, Regional and International Committees
May 2026-September 2026
Leaders of Africa Institute
Member
September 2025-September 2026
Association for Mentoring and Inclusion in Economics
Mentor
Professional Research Interest
.
Dr. Esther Machana Magembe’s research interests center on the intersection of environmental and behavioral economics with agricultural systems and household welfare. Her specific interests include environmental conservation and valuation, natural resources management, livestock farming systems, food security, intra-household dynamics, and behavioral economics, with a particular focus on household-level applications using field experiments. Across these areas, she seeks to understand how socioeconomic and behavioral factors shape decision-making related to resource use, livelihoods, and sustainable development.
Research Funds Attracted as Collaborating Scientist
May-September 2026
Grant writing and funding program 2026
funded by Leaders of Africa institute
Amount
US$ 3,200
Research Funds Attracted as Principal Investigator / Co-PI
Sept 2018- Dec 2024
Economic Valuation of Riparian Habitat Protection in Kenya
Role: PIAmount: US$ 28,489
Funder / Sponsor:DAAD/African Economic Research Consortium [AERC]
Funds Attracted for Community Development
Consultancy
Consulting Services
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
2022
Magembe M, Ndambiri, H.K. and Mose, J.I. 2022. Elicitation Format Effects on Welfare Estimates of Riparian Habitat Protection in Kenya. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy 2022; 10(4): 80-91. DOI: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20221004.12
Magembe E.M, Ndambiri, H.K and Mose, J.I. 2022. Evaluating the Role of Payment Vehicles in the Non-Market Valuation of Riparian Habitat Protection in International Journal of Economy, Energy and Environment 2022; 7(4): 75-86. DOI: 10.11648/j.ijeee.20220704.11
2014
Magembe E.M, Bebe B.O and Lagat, J.K. 2014. How are pastoral household economic benefits compared to agro-pastoral benefits in TransMara west district of Kenya? Sky journal of agricultural research, 3(2), pp 053-061.
Magembe E.M, Bebe B.O and Lagat, J.K. 2014. Evaluation of livestock and crop enterprise diversity associated with the shift from pastoral to agro-pastoral farming systems in TransMara west district of Kenya. Greener journal of agricultural sciences, Vol 4(3), pp, 101-109,
2013
Magembe E.M, Bebe B.O and Lagat, J.K. 2013. Comparison of socio-economic factors associated with the shift from pastoral to agro-pastoral farming systems in TransMara west district of Greener journal of agricultural sciences, Vol 3(7), pp528-538.
2012
Magembe M, Bebe B.O and Lagat, J.K. 2012. Evaluation of factors associated with the shift from pastoral to agro-pastoral farming systems in TransMara west district of Kenya. Asian journal of agricultural sciences 4(6):403-41https://www.airitilibrary.com/Article/Detail?DocID=20413890-201211-201512280012-201512280012-403-410
Books
Books
Book Chapters
Book Chapters
Conference
Conference
Learning Modules
Innovations, Prototypes & Commercialization
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