On 20 August 2026, the Department of Civil & Construction Engineering, University of Nairobi, is pleased to congratulate Prof. Silvester Ochieng Abuodha on his promotion from Associate Professor to Full Professor of Civil Engineering.

The promotion marks a significant milestone in Prof. Abuodha’s distinguished academic and professional career and recognises his sustained contribution to civil engineering education, research, postgraduate supervision, professional practice and academic leadership. 

 

Distinguished Academic Career

Prof. Abuodha is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he obtained a First Class Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering between 1980 and 1984. He subsequently undertook postgraduate studies in India and the United Kingdom, obtaining a Postgraduate Certificate in Transportation Management from the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore, an MSc in Structural Engineering from the University of Manchester, and a PhD in Structural Engineering from the University of Manchester.

Before joining the University of Nairobi, Prof. Abuodha worked with Kenya Railways between 1985 and 1999. He subsequently joined the University of Nairobi, where he has built a long-standing career in teaching, research and postgraduate training.

Research in Sustainable Construction Materials

A major focus of Prof. Abuodha’s research has been the development and application of sustainable and innovative construction materials.

His publications have examined areas including:

• Sugarcane waste fibre ash as a partial replacement for cement;
• Durability characteristics of concrete containing sugarcane waste fibre ash;
• Properties of concrete incorporating lightweight aggregates;
• Eco-friendly admixtures derived from plant extracts;
• Residual strength of reworked steel reinforcement bars;
• Plant extracts as shrinkage-reducing admixtures;
• Expansive clay behaviour under varying temperatures;
• Cementitious materials incorporating agricultural and industrial waste; and
• Lightweight concrete using volcanic scoria.

These research activities demonstrate his longstanding interest in developing locally available, environmentally responsive materials for the construction industry.

Contribution to Structural and Civil Engineering Research

Prof. Abuodha’s academic work has also covered structural materials and infrastructure. His doctoral supervision and research collaborations have included studies on sugarcane waste fibre ash as a cementing material, torsional behaviour of mangrove-reinforced lightweight concrete beams, stabilisation of expansive clays, and the service life of reinforced concrete water-conveying structures.

His publication record includes collaborative research with colleagues and postgraduate students from the University of Nairobi and other institutions, reflecting his commitment to multidisciplinary research and mentorship.

Postgraduate Training and Mentorship

Prof. Abuodha has made a substantial contribution to postgraduate education through the supervision of PhD and Master’s students.

His PhD supervision has covered topics ranging from sustainable cementitious materials to structural concrete and geotechnical engineering. His MSc supervision portfolio includes research on pre-stressed concrete railway sleepers, rice husk ash and building lime, eco-friendly concrete admixtures, wind speeds for structural design in Nairobi, and the economic use of high-strength concrete in high-rise buildings.

Through this work, Prof. Abuodha has contributed to developing researchers and engineers whose work addresses practical challenges facing Kenya’s built environment.

Professional Engineering Practice

Prof. Abuodha is a Registered Engineer and a Registered Consulting Engineer, having been registered with the Engineers Registration Board of Kenya in 1991 and as a consulting engineer in 2000. He has also been a member of the Institution of Engineers of Kenya since 1991.

His professional background, including his earlier experience with Kenya Railways, has provided a strong foundation for integrating engineering practice with academic teaching and research.

Contribution to Research Capacity and Collaboration

Prof. Abuodha has also played an important role in strengthening research capacity within the Department. His CV records his involvement in the Pan African Cement Proficiency Testing Scheme (PACEPTS), a programme undertaken in collaboration with the BAM Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing and the German Metrology Institute.

Through the programme, the University of Nairobi’s Department of Civil & Construction Engineering participated in cement proficiency testing and benefited from support for workshops, conferences and seminars in Tanzania and Germany.

He has additionally served as an External Examiner at Egerton University and participated in professional workshops focused on cement, materials science and engineering.

A Milestone for the Department

The promotion of Prof. Silvester Ochieng Abuodha to Full Professor of Civil Engineering is a significant achievement for the Department of Civil & Construction Engineering and the University of Nairobi.

His career exemplifies the integration of academic excellence, professional engineering practice, research, postgraduate mentorship and international collaboration. His work in sustainable construction materials and structural engineering continues to contribute to the advancement of civil engineering knowledge and practice.

The Department warmly congratulates Prof. Silvester Ochieng Abuodha on this well-deserved promotion and wishes him continued success in his academic, research and professional endeavours.

Congratulations, Prof. Abuodha!