© 2015 Sarah E. Rich

Daniel Waweru Gakuya

RISE Degree(s) 

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nairobi

RISE Network(s) 
RISE-AFNNET
Nationality 
Kenyan
Employment 

Associate Professor in Veterinary Internal Medicine, Department of Clinical Studies, University of Nairobi

Research 

The aim of Prof. Gakuya’s postdoctoral research was to evaluate the potential of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) as source of protein in poultry feed. The MOLM meal was supplemented at different levels in both broiler and layer chicken feed. In both of the experiments, the MOLM was found to be non-toxic and it can be supplemented in the feed to certain levels. The results were published in the International Journal of Poultry Sciences in 2014. The Moringa oleifera tree has also been planted in one of the university farms and this will be the source for further experimental work and possible commercialization. Prof. Gakuya and his team are currently preparing to the test the MOLM in weaner pigs and are also looking at the possibility of commercializing the powder for human use.

Selected Publications 

Gakuya DW, Mbugua PN, Mwaniki SM, Kiama SG, Muchemi GM, Njuguna A. 2014. Effect of supplementation of Moringa oleifera (LAM) leaf meal in layer chicken feed. Int J of Poult Sci 13(7):379-384

Gakuya DW, Mbugua PN, Kavoi B, Kiama SG. 2014. Effect of supplementation of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in broiler chicken feed. Int J Poult Sci 13(4):208-213

Onzago RO, Kiama SG, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Nduhiu JG. 2014. Evaluation of the antimicrobial activity and toxicity of Vernonia hymenolepis (A.Rich) traditionally used for toothache in Kenya. J Phytopharmacol 3(1):22-28

Onzago RO, Kiama SG, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Githinji CG, Rukenya ZM. 2013. Analgesic activity of aqueous extract of Vernonia hymenolepis (A.Rich) a traditional medicine plant used in Kenya for toothache. J Phytopharmacol 2(6):41-45

Gakuya DW, Itonga SM, Mbaria JM, Muthee JK, Musau JK. 2013. Ethnobotanical survey of biopesticides and other medicinal plants traditionally used in Meru central district of Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 145(2):547-553

Nguta JM, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Gathumbi PK, Kabasa JD, Kiama SG. 2012. Cytotoxicity of antimalarial plant extracts from Kenyan biodiversity to the brine shrimp, Artemia salina L. (Artemiidae). Drugs Ther Stud 2:64-67

Nguta JM, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Gathumbi PK, Kabasa JD, Kiama SG. 2012. Evaluation of Acute Toxicity of Crude Plant Extracts from Kenyan Biodiversity using Brine Shrimp, Artemia salina L. (Artemiidae). TOPROCJ 3:30-34

Gakuya DW, Mbaria JM, Kiama SG, Gathumbi PK, Mathiu M, Nguta JM. 2011. Ethnoveterinary Medicine: The prospects of integrating medicinal plant products in Veterinary Medicine in Kenya. Kenya Vet 35(2):67-76

Musau JK, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW. 2011. The antibacterial activity of some medicinal plants used in Meru Central District, Kenya. Kenya Vet 35(1):19-26

Nguta JM, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Gathumbi PK, Kabasa JD, Kiama SG. 2011. Biological screening of Kenyan medicinal plants using Artemia salina L. (Artemiidae). Pharmacologyonline 2:458-478

Wambugu SN, Mathiu PM, Gakuya DW, Kanui TI, Kabasa JD, Kiama SG. 2011. Medicinal plants used in the management of chronic joint pains in Machakos and Makueni counties, Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 137:945-955

Nguta JM, Mbaria JM, Gathumbi PK, Gakuya DW, Kabasa JD, Kiama SK. 2011. Ethnodiagnostic skills of the digo community for malaria: a lead to traditional bioprospecting. Front Pharmacol 2(30):1-14

Muthee JK, Gakuya DW, Mbaria JM, Kareru PG, Mulei CM, Njonge FK. 2011. Ethnobotanical study of anthelmintic and other medicinal plants traditionally used in Loitoktok district of Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 131:15-21

Gakuya DW, Mulei CM, Wekesa SB. 2011. Use of ethnoveterinary remedies in the management of foot and mouth disease lesions in a dairy herd. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med 8(2):165-169

Nguta JM, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Gathumbi PK, Kiama SG. 2010. Traditional antimalarial phytotherapy remedies used by the South Coast community, Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 131(2):256-267

Nguta JM, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Gathumbi PK, Kiama SG. 2010. Antimalarial herbal remedies of Msambweni, Kenya. J Ethnopharmacol 128(2):424-432

Wagate GC, Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Nanyingi MO, Kareru PG, Njuguna A, Nduhiu N, Macharia JK, Njonge FK. 2010. Screening of some Kenyan medicinal plants for antibacterial activity. Phytother Res 24(1):151-153

Wagate GC, Gakuya DW, Nanyingi MO, Njonge FK, Mbaria JM. 2008. Antibacterial and cytotoxic activity of Kenyan medicinal plants. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz 103(7): 650-652

Mbaria JM, Gakuya DW, Yunus SN, Kaburia HFA, Njuguna AN. 2006. Comparative Brine Shrimp Toxicity of Withenia somnifera and Chrysanthemum cinerariaefolium Extracts and In-Vitro Antimicrobial Activity of W. Somnifera. Kenya Vet 30(2):53-56

Gakuya DW, Mbithi PMF, Mugambi JM, Maitho TE, Musimba NKR. 2005. Evaluation of the efficacy of aqueous extracts of Albizia anthelmintica and Maerua edulis against the nematode Heligsomoides polygyrus infections in mice. Kenya Vet 28:24-28

Gakuya DW, Mbithi PMF, Maitho TE, Musimba NKR. 2004. The potential use of plant anthelmintics for the control of livestock helminthoses in Kenya. Kenya Vet 26:14-26

Gakuya DW, Mbaria JM, Mbithi PMF, Munenge RW. 2004. Evaluation of bioactivity of some traditional used medicinal plants using brine shrimp lethality test. Kenya Vet 26:8-11

Gakuya DW, Mbithi PMF, Musimba NKR. 2000. Preliminary study of three medicinal plants used as anthelmintic for livestock in Kibwezi and Tunyo divisions of Makueni and Marakwet district. Kenya Vet 24:81-93

Email Address(es) 
danielgakuya@yahoo.com
RISE Degree(s) Completed 
June 2014