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DR ELICK O. OTACHI

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Staff Information
PERSONAL DETAILS
Designation
SENIOR LECTURER
Corporate Email
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Job Category
Teaching
Phone Number
+254704388481
Division / Faculty
Faculty of Science
Directorate / Dept
DEPT. OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
SUMMARY

Elick Otachi is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biological Sciences, Egerton University, Kenya. He is the immediate former Associate Dean of Faculty of Science since March 2019. His higher education is based on studies in Applied Aquatic Sciences, limnology, fisheries, aquaculture, fish health and toxicology  holding a BSc in Applied Aquatic Sciences, MSc in Limnology both from Egerton University and Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Sciences, Biologie from the University of Vienna, Austria.

After finishing his doctoral thesis, he continued with research in Fisheries-parasitology and toxicology, Aquaculture-farming systems, pollution research especially heavy metal biomonitoring, environmental toxicology, fish health management practices and community development in biosecurity enhancement in small scale fish farms. For a couple of years, his work had focused on biomonitoring of aquatic ecosystems and fish health with a view of  communicating early warning of contaminated fish to potential human consumers using preditive potential target hazard quotients (THQ’s). His current focus is on fish-innovations, developing sustainable solutions such as biopesticides in the aquaculture sector through inventions and technological innovations geared towards addressing Blue Economy especially in blue foods and nutritional security in Africa, and Kenya in particular.

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

  

Qualification; Year obtained: Awarding institution

PhD in Natural Sciences (Biologie) 2014 University of Vienna, Austria

Title of PhD thesis: Otachi E.O. (2013). Parasites of fish and trace elements in Lakes Naivasha and Turkana, Kenya

MSc. Limnology 2009 Egerton University, Kenya

Title of MSc. thesis: Otachi E.O. (2009). Studies on occurrence of protozoan and helminth parasites in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) ponds from Central and Eastern provinces, Kenya. Egerton University, Kenya

BSc. Applied Aquatic Sciences: 2005 Egerton University, Kenya

 

                                     
 
WORK EXPERIENCE

 

May 2019 up to April 2023: Associate Dean, Faculty of Science

Nov-Dec 2016: Ag. COD, Biological Sciences Department

Nov-Dec 2015: Ag. COD, Biological Sciences Department

June 2015-to date: Senior Lecturer, Biological Sciences Department

June 2014 to March 2019: Examination Officer-Zoology

July 2011 to May 2014: Lecturer, Biological Sciences Department

August 2008- June 2011: Senior Technologist, Biological Sciences Department

 

KEY PROJECTS

 

1.     2007-2009: Integrating BOMOSA cage fish farming system in reservoirs, ponds and temporary water bodies in Eastern Africa financed by European Union

2.     2010-2014: Heavy metals in Lake Naivasha, Kenya: Water, Sediments, Fish and their parasites- financed by Austrian Development Cooperation

3.     2020-2023: Validating and promoting improved fish strains and health management practices for climate smart aquaculture finance by KARLO-KCSAP, amount Kshs 4,424,500.

4.     2020- up to date: Aquaculture Innovation Lab for Improved Food Production funded by USAID/BOWIE State University

5.     2021-up to date: Piloting study of the Affordable Domestic Fish Farming Technology Financed by Newbuild Limited, amount Kshs 124,000

6.     Feb 2022-date: Partnership Program in Integrated Agri-Aquaculture Systems for Food Security and Poverty Reduction in East Africa Financed by Africa-UniNet, amount 49,500 Euros

 

RESEARCH INTERESTS

Fisheries, Aquaculture Health, Pollution, Toxicology

LIST OF PUBLICATIONS
  1. Domitila Kyule, Nicholas Outa, Jacob O. Iteba, Erick Ogello, Jonathan Munguti, Kevin Obiero, Elick Otachi, Anastasia Muia (2024). Diversity and Abundance of Some Microbial Communities in Kenya's Rift Valley Lakes Nakuru and Bogoria before the 2019-2020 Long Rains. Journal of Aquatic Science, vol. 7, no. 1 (2024): 9-18. doi:10.12691/jas-7-1-2
  2. Mary Florence Nantongo, Joseph Edebe, Elick O. Otachi, Julius Kipkemboi (2024). Assessment of the status of selected heavy metals in water, sediments and a fish species (Oreochromis niloticus) of commercial value in Lake Nakuru with a focus on human health risks. Lakes & Reservoirs: Science, Policy and Management for Sustainable Use. DOI: 10.1111/lre.12452
  3. Walter Miding’a Essendi, Charles Inyagwa Muleke, Elick Onyango Otachi (2024). Concentration and risk assessment of Cryptosporidium infection associated with exposure to the Njoro River, Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru, Kenya. The Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology. Springer Nature. DOI: 10.1186/s41936-024-00355-z

  4. Mary Florence Nantongo, Joseph Edebe, Elick O. Otachi and Julius Kipkemboi (2023). Organochlorine pesticide residues in water, sediments and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) of Lake Nakuru, Kenya and implication for its fishery. Lakes & Reservoirs: Science, Policy and Management for Sustainable Use. DOI: 10.1111/lre.12424

  5. Gaye MM, Omondi SO, Otachi EO (2022). Sustainable fish feeds: optimization of levels of inorganic fertilizers for mass production of Oocystis sp. for climate smart aquaculture. Aquaculture International https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-022-00986-5

  6. Kipyegen CK, Muleke CI, Otachi EO (2022). Human and animal fasciolosis: Coprological survey in Narok, Baringo and Kisumu Counties, Kenya. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research 2022; 89(1): 1954. doi: 10.4102/ojvr.v89i1.1954

  7. Domitila Kyule-Muendo, Elick Otachi, Fonda Awour, Erick Ogello, Kevin Obiero, Jacob Abwao, Cecilia Muthoni and Jonathan Munguti (2022). Status of Fish Health Management and Biosecurity Measures in Fish Farms, Cages and Hatcheries in Western Kenya. CABI Agriculture and Bioscience. DOI 10.1186/s43170-022-00086-7

  8. Walter Miding’a Essendi, Charles Muleke, Manfred Miheso, Elick Otachi (2021). Genetic diversity of Cryptosporidium species in Njoro Sub County, Nakuru, Kenya. Journal of Parasitic Diseases. DOI: 10.1007/s12639-021-01444-4     

  9. Walter Essendi, Charles Muleke, Elick Otachi, Manfred Miheso, & Domitila Kyule (2021). Prevalence of zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp. isolates in Njoro Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya. African Journal of Infectious Diseases (AJID), 15(2), 3-9. https://doi.org/10.21010/ajid v15n2.2 

  10. Daniel Mwangi, Nzula Kitaka and Elick Otachi (2020). A Comparative Analysis of the Quantity and Quality of Oil Extracted from Five Commercially Important Freshwater Fish Species in Kenya. Journal of Aquatic Food Product Technology

  11. Adamba, S.W.K., Otachi, E.O. & Ong’ondo, G.O.(2020). Parasite Communities of Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis (Trewavas, 1983) in Relation to Selected Water Quality Parameters in the Springs of Lorwai Swamp and Lake Baringo, Kenya. Acta Parasitologica. 65, 441–451 (2020). https://doi.org/10.2478/s11686-020-00178-2

  12. Ogoma Maurice, Bernard Kirui, Gilbert Obwoyere, Evance Obura, and Elick Otachi. 2019. “Factors Influencing Capacity of Beach Management Units in Implementing Fisheries Co-Management in a Tropical Desert Lake”. Egerton Journal of Science and Technology 17 (1-139), 29-49

  13. Adamba, S. W. K., Otachi, E. O., & Ong’ondo, G. O. (2019). Some aspects of Oreochromis niloticus baringoensis (Trewavas, 1983) fishery assessment and influence of selected water quality parameters in the hot springs of Lorwai Swamp, Baringo, Kenya. Egerton Journal of Science and Technology, 17(1-139), 65-82.

  14. Caroline Jepkorir Kibet, Oscar Omondi Donde, Brian Okwiri, Elick Onyango Otachi (2019) Taxonomic status of fish parasites in Kenyan inland water systems and their significance on the freshwater fisheries and aquaculture productivity within the region. Lakes & Reserv. 2019; 00: 1–9. DOI: 10.1111/lre.12284 

  15. Ngesa Elizabeth Adhiambo Otachi Elick Onyango Kitaka Nzula Kivuva (2019). Some biological aspects of straightfin barb, Enteromius paludinosus (Peters 1852) during the rainy season in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Scientific African Volume 4. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sciaf.2019.e00097      

  16. Elizabeth Adhiambo Ngesa, Elick Onyango Otachi and Nzula Kivuva Kitaka.(2018) A Little Fish with a High Heavy Metals Burden: The Case of Straightfin Barb, Enteromius paludinosus (Peters 1852) from River Malewa, Naivasha, Kenya. J Environ Anal Toxicol 2018, Vol 8(4): 583     

  17. Renis Auma Ojwala, Elick Onyango Otachi, Nzula Kivuva Kitaka (2018). Effect of water quality on the parasite assemblages infecting Nile tilapia in selected fish farms in Nakuru County, Kenya. Parasitology Research, DOI : 10.1007/s00436-018-6042-0

  18. Otachi EO, Rindoria NM, Medhanit MM, Ayeka PA, Wąs-Barcz A.(2018) First record of dwarf Victorian mouthbrooder Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae (Schöller,1903) in Lake Naivasha, Kenya, including data on its molecular identification: Management implications. Lakes & Reserv. 2018; 00:1–6. https://doi.org/10.1111/lre.12238 

  19. Thon C. C., Otachi O. E. and Oldewage A. A (2017). Endo-helminths Infestation in Nile Perch, Lates niloticus, (L.,) and Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.,) in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya. Egerton J. Sci. & Technol. Volume 16: 161-172. ISSN No. 2073 – 8277

  20. Christof Plessl, Elick O. Otachi, Wilfried Körner, Annemariè Avenant-Oldewage, Franz Jirsa (2017). Fish as bioindicators for trace element pollution from two contrasting lakes in the Eastern Rift Valley, Kenya: spatial and temporal aspects. Environ Sci Pollut Res, DOI 10.1007/s11356-017-9518-z 

  21. George A.A. Omondi, Elick O. Otachi, Jonathan M. Munguti (2017). Growth performance of Nile tilapia in cage monoculture and polyculture with African catfish and African carp. Aquaculture International DOI 10.1007/s10499-017-0143-0

  22. Peter Amwoga Ayeka; Bian Yu Hong; Peter Githaiga Mwitari; Chu Xiao Qian; Zhang Yan Zhun; Rosette Uzayisenga; Elick Onyango Otachi (2016). Immunomodulatory and anticancer potential of Gan cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.) polysaccharides by CT-26 colon carcinoma cell growth inhibition and cytokine IL-7 upregulation in vitro. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

  23. Otachi, E.O., Plessl, C., Körner, W., Avenant-Oldewage, A., Jirsa, F. (2015). Trace Elements in Water, Sediments and the Elongate Tigerfish Hydrocynus forskahlii (Cuvier 1819) from Lake Turkana, Kenya Including a Comprehensive Health Risk Analysis. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol DOI 10.1007/s00128-015-1603-8  

  24. Rindoria, N.M., Mungai, L.K., Yasindi, A.W., Otachi, E.O. (2015). Gill monogeneans of Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) and Oreochromis leucostictus (Trewavas, 1933) in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Parasitology Research. DOI 10.1007/s00436-015-4883-3  

  25. Otachi, E.O., Magana, A. M., Jirsa, F., Frank-Fellner, C. (2014) Parasites of commercially important fish from Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley, Kenya. Parasitology Research 113(3), 1057-1067

  26. Otachi, E.O., Szostakowska B., Jirsa, F., Frank-Fellner, C. (2014). Parasite communities of the elongate tiger fish Hydrocynus forskahlii (Cuvier 1819) and red belly tilapia Tilapia zillii (Gervais 1848) from Lake Turkana, Kenya: influence of host sex and size. Acta Parasitologica 2015, 60(1), 9–20

  27. Otachi, E.O., Körner W., Avenant-Oldewage A.,  Frank-Fellner, C.,  Jirsa, F. (2014) Trace elements in sediments, blue spotted tilapia Oreochromis leucostictus (Trewavas, 1933) and its parasite Contracaecum multipapillatum from Lake Naivasha, Kenya, including a comprehensive health risk analysis. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 21(12), 7339-7349

  28. Otachi, E.O., Locke, S.A., Jirsa, F., Frank-Fellner, C., Marcogliese, D.J. (2014) Morphometric and molecular analyses of Tylodelphys sp. metacercariae (Digenea: Diplostomidae) from the vitreous humour of four fish species from Lake Naivasha, Kenya. Journal of Helminthology, doi: 10.1017/S0022149X14000170

  29. Otachi E. O., Magana A. M., Simiyu L. N. and Omweri J. O. (2012) Fluctuating Asymmetry in Selected Fish Species in Lake Naivasha: Biomarkers for Environmental Stress. Journal of Environmental Natural Resources Management and Society (JENRS): 29-44

  30. Otachi, E., Wathuta, E., Magana, A., Fioravanti, M. L., Florio, D., and Konecny, R. (2011) Comparative Ecological Analysis of Fish Parasitofauna in a Hub-Plot Aquaculture System: Implications for Aquaculture in Kenya. Egerton Journal of Science and Technology, 11: 87-103

  31. Andrea Gustinelli, Monica Caffara, Daniela Florio, Elick O. Otachi, Euty M. Wathuta, Maria L. Fioravanti. (2010). First description of the adult stage of Clinostomum cutaneum Paperna, 1964 (Digenea: Clinostomidae) from grey herons Ardea cinerea L. and a redescription of the metacercaria from the Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus niloticus (L.) in Kenya. Systematic Parasitology 76:39-51.

  32. Daniela Florio, Andrea Gustinelli, Monica Caffara, Francesco Turci, Francesco Quaglio, Robert Konecny, Tanja Nikowitz, Euty M. Wathuta, Adiel Magana, Elick O. Otachi, Geraldine K. Matolla, Hellen W. Warugu, David Liti, Raphael Mbaluka, Benson Thiga, Jonathan Munguti, Peter Akoll, Wilson Mwanja, Kassahun Asaminew, Zenebe Tadesse, (2009). Veterinary and public health aspects in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus niloticus) aquaculture in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia (Aspetti veterinari e di sanità pubblica nell’allevamento della tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus niloticus) in Kenya, Uganda ed Etiopia). ITTIOPATOLOGIA. 6: 51-93

CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

 

1.      Attended the short course: PedaL Online: Technology for Transformative Pedagogy. By Egerton University, Moi University & ESSRAK between 5th August-26th August 2021

2.      XXXIII CONGRESS by International Society of Limnology SIL 2016: Lake Turkana and Lake Naivasha: fish as bioindicators for trace element pollution from two contrasting rift valley lakes, Kenya.,TORINO,ITALY 31 JULY-5 AUGUST

3.      10th Egerton University international conference March 2016: A morphogenetic analysis of gill monogeneans infecting the Redbelly tilapia, Tilapia zillii (Gervais, 1848) from Lake Naivasha, Kenya: New species and biogeographical records

4.10th Egerton University international conference March 2016  Immuno-modulatory and Anticancer Potential of Licorice (Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch.); Potential for Cancer Immunotherapy in new Drug Development

5.Motivational talk to farmers: linking farmers to research and University resources. 3rd March 2016 at Egerton University. The seminar was part of AWARD role modeling event organized by AWARD fellow: Ms. Mercy Wamalwa

Title of talk: Kilimo cha Samaki

6.First Biological Sciences Departmental seminar, 09.02.2016, Egerton University

Title of presentation: Fish parasites and trace elements in two contrasting Rift Valley Lakes

7.Pathways Kenya 2016 Conference: Fairmont Mount Kenya Safari, Nanyuki

Title of paper: Trace elements in Contracaecum multipapillatum (L3) in relation to its fish hosts from two Kenyan lakes-among others

8.TropiLakes conference at RahNile Hotel Bahir Dar Ethiopia 23rd September-30th September 2015

Title of paper: Major and Trace Elements Concentrations in Two Contrasting Rift Valley Lakes, Kenya: Water, Sediments, Fish and Parasites

9.November 2014: 48th Annual Meeting of the Austrian Society of Tropical Medicine, Parasitology and Migration Medicine in Graz, Austria

Paper presented: Morphometrics vs. Genetics: Tylodelphis sp. from four fish species in Lake Naivasha, Kenya.

10.June 2013: ÖGTPM Parasitological Day 2013, Klagenfurt, Austria. Paper presented: Parasites of commercially important fish from Lake Naivasha, Rift Valley, Kenya

11.June 2012: XI European Multicolloquium of Parasitology (EMOP) in Cluj Napoca, Romania. Paper presented: Parasites of fish from Lakes Naivasha and Turkana, Rift Valley, Kenya

 

12.November 2011: ÖGTP, Austrian Society of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology, Vienna, Austria. Poster presented: Parasites of fish from Lakes Naivasha and Turkana, Kenya: first results

 

13. Sept. 2nd to 4th 2009: attended BOMOSA final conference held at Machakos Garden Hotel. I presented the following papers;

i)               Survey of bacterial outbreaks in farmed Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) from Kenyan BOMOSA plots

ii)             Veterinary and public health aspects linked to BOMOSA farming systems

iii)           Cause of fingerlings mortality in Kwa-Ngeki’s reservoir, Machakos district, Kenya

iv)            Occurrence of Protozoan, Acanthocephalan and Helminth parasites in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) ponds in Eastern and Central provinces of Kenya

 

14. Sept 16-19th 2008: 3rd Research week and International Conference held in Egerton University. I presented two papers titled:

i)               Studies on occurrence of protozoan, Acanthocephalan and Helminth parasites in Nile   Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, L.) from ponds in Central and Eastern Provinces, Kenya.

ii)             Diplostomiasis in pond and cage cultured Oreochromis niloticus in Sagana Aquaculture centre and Machakos Kwa-Ngeki’s reservoir, Kenya.

15. February 23rd-25th 2010: attended a proposal writing workshop held in Egerton University (CMRT). Skills learnt: retooling in proposal writing such as writing a problem tree, objective tree, logframe, budget etc

16. September 6th -19th 2009: attended DelPHE field IT for East African, the development of “virtual field courses” for Kenyan and Tanzanian universities through field research/training camps where digital methods are used for recording scientific research directed at sustainable water basin management, held at the Lake Naivasha, Kenya by the University of Leicester in collaboration with the University of Nairobi

17. June 7-12th 2009: attended workshop on curriculum development for the Egerton trimester of the Masters of Science in Environmental sciences specialization in Limnology and wetland ecosystems held at Machakos Garden Hotel.

Contribution: Module 8; Fisheries and Aquaculture, RESOURCE PERSON

18. EAWA (East Africa Water association) Exhibition, taking EAWA to stakeholders: Knowledge and Technological Transfer through Interaction held at Kisumu hotel Kisumu, Kenya on the 12th to 14th June 2008 sponsored by the Austrian Development Co-operation.

 

HONORS, PRIZE AND AWARDS
  1. Awarded medal for the Best graduating student in Faculty of Science 2005

2. Awarded Best presenter award in Egerton University International Conference and Research week in 2015

POSTGRADUATE SUPERVISION
MASTERS LEVEL :

 

To completion

1.     Supervisor: Nutritive value of Arthrospira platensis and Oocystis sp. as protein sources in Nile tilapia fish feeds.  MSc Research study by Marvin Gaye Mukoma. Successfully defended thesis in February 2023

2.     Supervisor: Levels of selected water quality parameters, heavy metals and pesticide residues in Water, Sediments and Nile tilapia of Lake Nakuru, Kenya. MSc. research study by Nantongo Mary Florence. Graduated in June 2021

3.     Supervisor: A comparative analysis of the quantity and quality of oil extracted from five commercially important freshwater fish species in Kenya. MSc research study by Kimani Daniel Mwangi. Graduated in June 2021

4.     Supervisor: Determination of heavy metal levels in Straightfin barb (Enteromius paludinosus, peters 1852) and its endo-parasites as bioindicators in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. MSc study by Elizabeth A. Ngesa. Graduated in 2019

5.     Supervisor: Parasite communities of Oreochromis niloticus (L.) in relation to selected water quality parameters in the springs of Loboi swamp and Lake Baringo, Kenya. MSc study by Stephanie Wangare Kamau Adamba. Graduated 2019

6.     Supervisor: Effect of water quality on the parasite assemblages infecting Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus, Linnaeus 1758) in fish farms in Nakuru County, Kenya. MSc study by Renis Auma Ojwala. Graduated in 2018

7.    Supervisor: A survey of the endoparasites infecting Nile tilapia and Nile perch in Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Kenya. A MSc. research study by Chan Chol Thon. Graduated in 2017

8.    Supervisor: Growth performance and water quality analyses in cage monoculture and polyculture of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) with African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) and African carp (Labeo victorianus). A MSc. research study by George A.A. Omondi. Graduated in 2016

9.  Supervisor: Morphometric analysis of monogenean parasites of cichlid and cyprinid fish in Lake Naivasha, Kenya. A MSc. Study by Mr. Rindoria, Nehemiah Mogoi. Graduated in 2016

10.  Supervisor: Assessment of the influence of Bujagali falls hydropower station on the fish assemblages of the upper Nile River. A MSc. research study by Joshua Tazibirwa. Graduated in 2016

 

 

 

 

PhD. LEVEL :
  1. Supervisor: Epidemiology and genetic diversity of Zoonotic Cryptosporidium spp in Njoro River Watershed in Nakuru County, Kenya. A PhD Research study by Walter Miding’a Essendi. Graduated in December 2021
OTHER SOCIETIES

 

  1. Committee member Egerton University International Conference
  2. Former Associate Dean, Faculty of Science
  3. Former Member Faculty Management Committee- Faculty of Science
  4. Sub-committee member-Departmental curriculum review
  5. Board Member-Masongo Secondary School
  6. Secretary Eminto Self Help Group Welfare
  7. Committee member- BIOLWEL committee
  8. Member EAWA
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