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Dr Daniel Wambua Wanja

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Staff Information
PERSONAL DETAILS
Designation
Lecturer
Corporate Email
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Personal Email
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Division / Faculty
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
Directorate / Dept
Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology & Parasitology (VPMP)
Section
Microbiology Section
Address
29040
SUMMARY

Dr. DW Wanja is a Lecturer in Veterinary Microbiology at Egerton University, with a research focus on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and control of bacterial and viral diseases affecting animals. Dr. Wanja earned a PhD in Applied Microbiology from the University of Nairobi, where his work centered on: Transmission dynamics, Virulence and Antimicrobial resistance of thermophilic Campylobacter species in livestock and environment in Kajiado County, Kenya. With a strong foundation in both veterinary science and microbiology and aquatic medicine and husbandry, Dr. Wanja is dedicated to advancing knowledge in zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and the development of novel diagnostic tools. He have collaborated with local and international institutions on projects aimed at improving animal health and food safety.

ORCID
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8913-6072
ACADEMIA
https://egerton.academia.edu/DanielWanja
LinkedIn
http://linkedin.com/in/daniel-wambua-wanja-24b548b7
Researchgate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Daniel-Wanja
Google Scholar
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=7cExXBYAAAAJ&hl=en
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
  • 03rd Oct 2019 to 22nd Sept 2023: DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY IN APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY (BACTERIOLOGY OPTION). University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya (https://www.uonbi.ac.ke/). Thesis: Transmission dynamics, Virulence and Antimicrobial resistance of thermophilic Campylobacter species in livestock and environment in Kajiado County, Kenya.
  • 16th Nov 2016 to 23rd Nov 2018: MASTERS OF SCIENCE IN HEALTH OF AQUATIC ANIMAL RESOURCES. Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania (https://www.sua.ac.tz/). Thesis; “Occurrence, Antimicrobial Susceptibility and Risk Factors for the Transmission of Fish Bacteria in Small-Scale Farms in Kirinyaga County, Kenya”.
  • 12th Oct 2010 to 22nd May 2015: BACHELOR OF VETERINARY MEDICINE; University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya (https://www.uonbi.ac.ke/)
  • 17th Jan 2005 to 18th Nov 2008: KENYA CERTIFICATE OF SECONDARY EDUCATION (KCSE): Tueni Secondary School; Attained B+ (PLUS) of 72points out of 84 points
  • 1st Jan 1996 to 23rd Nov 2004: KENYA CERTIFICATE OF PRIMARY EDUCATION (KCPE); Kagaa Primary School; Attained 320 marks out of 500
FIELDS OF SPECIALIZATION
  • Zoonotic Disease Control – Managing diseases transmissible between animals and humans.
  • Antimicrobial Resistance – Monitoring and combating drug resistance in animal pathogens.
  • Vaccine Development – Creating vaccines for animal infectious diseases.
  • Diagnostic Microbiology – Identifying pathogens in animal samples.
  • Gut Microbiome and Probiotics – Studying beneficial microbes for animal health
  • One Health Microbiology – Linking animal, human, and environmental health.
  • Aquatic health and medicine – Diagnosing and treating diseases, preventing outbreaks, and ensuring the well-being of both wild and farmed fish species
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

 2nd to 4th July 2024: Pedagogy, Postgraduate Supervision and mentorship organized by Board of Post Graduate Studies, Egerton University

30 Aug to 10 Sept 2021: Training of Trainers (ToT), Kenya School of Government (KSG)

28th  to 30th October 2020: Research and Grant Proposal Writing, University of Nairobi (Office of DVC Research, Innovation and Extension)

18 April to 12 June 2017: Proposal Writing & Research Writing (Online Course): AuthorAID &/or International Network for the Availability of Scientific Publications (INASP), Cambridge Terrace.

WORK EXPERIENCE
  • 1st Feb 2024 to Date: Lecturer, Veterinary Microbiology & Immunology; Department of Veterinary Pathology, Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery; Egerton University. P.O. Box 536- 21155 EGERTON, Kenya. https://www.egerton.ac.ke  
  • 17th Oct 2019 to 31st Jan 2024: Principal Lecturer & Head of Internal Quality Assurance: Animal Health and Industrial Training Institute (AHITI)-Kabete; P.O. Box 29040- 00625 KANGEMI, https://ahitikabete.com/. Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries; State Department of Livestock.
  • 02nd Aug 2021 to Dec 2024: Part-time Lecturer: Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture & Environmental Studies; Chuka University. P.O. Box 109-60400, CHUKA (https://www.chuka.ac.ke); and also at the Department of Animal Science, School of Agriculture & Food Science; Meru University of Science & Technology. P.O. Box 972-60200, MERU (https://www.must.ac.ke).
  • 1st October to 31st December 2019: Lecturer, IGAD Sheikh Technical Veterinary School and Reference Centre, Somaliland; P.O. Box 2653, DJIBOUTI. https://www.istvs.igad.int/
  • 17th Sept 2015 to Oct 2016: Tutor and Head of Department, Department of Animal Health and Production, Eldoret Campus Baraton College. P.O. Box 10772-30100 ELDORET, Kenya. www.baratoncollege.ac.ke
  • April 2009 to 01st Oct 2010:  Untrained Teacher, Tueni Secondary School. P.O. Box 255-01020 KENOL, Kenya.
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS

PEER-REVIEWED SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL ARTICLES

  1. Waruiru RM, Ageng′o FO, Wanja DW, Murugami JW, Maina KW, Mavuti SK, Kamundia PW, Gichohi CM, Wainaina JM, Hamisi MM, Oginga OK, Nyaga PN and  Mbuthia PG 2026. Parasitic Infections of Freshwater Fish in Kenya: Prevalence Patterns, Ecological Drivers, and Implications for Aquaculture Sustainability. Journal of Parasitology Research, 2026(1), p.4352940. https://doi.org/10.1155/japr/4352940

  2. Karimi RD, Wanja DW, Ngeranwa JJ & Nyaga PN (2026). Isolation and characterization of indigenous probiotic bacteria from wild Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Lake Naivasha, Kenya, with first evidence of Paucilactobacillus vaccinostercus as a potential aquaculture probiotic. Veterinary World, 19(2), 805-820.  https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2026.805-820

  3. Ndegwa JM, Njagi LW, Mulei IR, Nyaga PN, Wanja DW, Ali SE, Delamare-Deboutteville J & Ndambuki MN (2026). Antimicrobial susceptibility of Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria (A4 strain): A clinical isolate recovered from an aquaculture farm with high fish mortality in Narok County, Kenya.  International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 14(1): 01-05. https://www.doi.org/10.22271/fish.2026.v14.i1a.3199

  4. Ndegwa JM, Njagi LW, Mulei IR, Nyaga PN, Wanja DW, Ali SE, & Delamare-Deboutteville (2025). Lethal Dose, Clinical Signs, Gross and Microscopic Lesions Induced by Aeromonas veronii Biovar sobria A4 Strain in Experimentally Challenged Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). Veterinary Medicine International, vol. 2025, Article ID 5525701, 10 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/vmi/5525701.
  5. Ageng'o FO, Waruiru RM, Wanja DW, Nyaga PN, Hamisi MM, Ndegwa JM, Ali SE, Chadag MV & Mbuthia, PG. (2025). Parasites of Farmed and Wild Tilapine Fishes From Selected Farms and Lake Jipe in Taita Taveta County, Kenya. Aquaculture, Fish and Fisheries, 5(1), e70042. https://doi.org/10.1002/aff2.70042
  6. Ndegwa JM, Njagi LW, Mulei IR, Nyaga PN, Wanja DW, Ali SE, Delamare-Deboutteville J, & Kimemia BB. Conventional and molecular characterization of an Aeromonas isolate recovered from an aquaculture farm with high fish mortality in Kenya. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 01-09. https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2025.v13.i1a.3008
  7. Ageng’o FO, Waruiru RM, Wanja DW, Nyaga PN, Hamisi MM, Khasake CN, ... & Chadag, MV (2024). Relationship between Water Quality Parameters and Parasite Infestation in Farmed Oreochromis niloticus in Selected Rift Valley Counties, Kenya. Aquaculture Research, 2024(1), 6139798. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6139798.
  8. Ageng’o FO, Waruiru RM, Nyaga PN, Wanja DW, Kamuti NM, Keya EA, Wainaina JM, Mbuthia PG, Hamisi MM., Chadag V., & Ali E. (2024). Management practices and risk factors associated with parasitic infestations in farmed Nile tilapia in Bomet and Kericho counties, Kenya. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 12(3): 60-68. https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2024.v12.i3b.2924
  9. Hamisi MM, Mbindyo CM, Njagi LW, Nyaga PN, Waruiru RM, Ageng’o FO, Ali SE, Delamare-Deboutteville, J., Wanja DW, Dimbu GA and Tavornpanich S, (2024). Prevalence of potential pathogenic and zoonotic aerobic bacteria in wild and farmed Oreochromis jipe, Oreochromis niloticus and source water in Taita-Taveta County, Kenya. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 12(4): 49-58. https://doi.org/10.22271/fish.2024.v12.i4a.2943
  10. Wanja DW, Mbindyo CM, Mbuthia PG, Bebora LC & Aboge GO 2023. Molecular detection of virulence associated markers in Campylobacter coli and C. jejuni isolates from water, cattle and chicken faecal samples from Kajiado County, Kenya. BioMed Research International, 2024(1), 4631351. https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/4631351.
  11. Wanja DW, Mbuthia PG, Bebora LC, Aboge GO, Muasya DW and Ofwete R 2023. Risk factors associated with occurrence of thermophilic Campylobacter in cattle herds raised on integrated small-scale farms in Kajiado county, Kenya. International Journal of Veterinary Science 12 (6), 776-785. https://doi.org/10.47278/journal.ijvs/2023.040. http://www.ijvets.com/pdf-files/23-112.pdf
  12. Wanja, D. W., Mbuthia, P. G., Bebora, L. C., Aboge, G. O., & Ogoti, B. (2023): Antimicrobial usage, susceptibility profiles and resistance genes in Campylobacter isolated from cattle, chicken and water samples in Kajiado County, Kenya. International Journal of Microbiology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8394605
  13. Wanja, D. W., Mbuthia, P. G., Aboge, G. O., & Bebora, L. C. (2022). Seasonal Prevalence and Molecular Identification of Thermophilic Campylobacter from Chicken, Cattle, and Respective Drinking Water in Kajiado County, Kenya", International Journal of Microbiology, vol. 2022, Article ID 1526641, 11 pages, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1526641
  14. Waruiru R.M., Mbuthia P.G., Wanja D.W. and Mwadime J.M. (2020). Prevalence, intensity and influence of water quality on parasites of farmed fish in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. Livestock Research for Rural Development. Volume 32, Article #164. http://www.lrrd.org/lrrd32/10/rmwar32164.html.
  15. Wanja D.W., Mbuthia P.G., Waruiru R.M., Bebora L.C., Ngowi H.A. and Nyaga P.N. (2020). Case Study:  Natural Concurrent Infections with Black Spot Disease and Multiple Bacteriosis in Farmed Nile Tilapia in Central Kenya. Veterinary Medicine International, Volume 2020, Article ID 8821324, 8 pages.  https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8821324
  16. Wanja D.W., Mbuthia, P.G., Waruiru R.M., Mwadime J.M., Bebora L.C., Nyaga P.N. and Ngowi H.A. (2020). Fish Husbandry Practices and Water Quality in Central Kenya: Potential Risk Factors for Fish Mortality and Infectious Diseases. Veterinary Medicine International, Volume 2020, Article ID 6839354, 10 pages. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/6839354.
  17. Wanja D.W., Mbuthia P.G., Waruiru R.M., Bebora L.C., Nyaga P.N. and Ngowi H.A. (2020). Antibiotic and Disinfectant Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria isolated from Farmed Fish in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. International Journal of Microbiology, Volume 2020, Article ID 8897338, 8 pages.  https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8897338.
  18. Wanja D.W., Mbuthia P.G., Waruiru R.M., Mwadime J.M., Bebora L.C., Nyaga P.N. and Ngowi H.A. (2019). Bacterial Pathogens Isolated from Farmed Fish and Source Pond Water in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 34-39. https://www.fisheriesjournal.com/archives/2019/vol7issue2/PartD/7-2-34-415.pdf
CONFERENCES & INVITED PRESENTATIONS

CONFERENCE PAPERS & PRESENTATIONS

  1. Joseph M. Ndegwa, Lucy W. Njagi, Isaac R. Mulei, Philip N. Nyaga, Daniel W. Wanja, Victor O. Ogweny, Marceline N. Ndambuki, Shimaa E. Ali, Jerome D. Deboutteville and Mona D. Jansen (2023). Lethal dose and clinicopathological findings associated with Aeromonas veronii biovar sobria recovered from an aquaculture farm with high fish mortality in Kenya. https://www.was.org/Meeting/Program/PaperDetail/161638#:~:text=LETHAL%20DOSE%20AND%20CLINICOPATHOLOGICAL%20FINDINGS%20ASSOCIATED%20WITH%20Aeromonas%20veronii%20BIOVAR
  2. Mercy Hamisi, Christine Mbindyo, Lucy Njagi, Daniel Wanja, Phillip Nyaga, Robert Waruiru, Paul Mbuthia, Ali Shimaa, Jerome Delamare, Saraya Tavornpanich (2023). Preliminary study of potential pathogenic and zoonotic Bacteria from farmed and wild Oreochromis jipe and source water in Taita-Taveta, county Kenya. In: Proc. of Aquaculture Africa 2023, International Conference & Exposition held on November 13 - 16, 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia
  3. Finnan Ageng'o, Robert Waruiru, Philip Nyaga, Daniel Wanja, Edith Keya, Paul Mbuthia, Mohan Chadag & Hansen Haakon (2023). Prevalence of parasites of farmed Nile tilapia in Kericho, Bomet and Nakuru Counties, Kenya. In: Proc. of Aquaculture Africa 2023, International Conference & Exposition held on November 13 - 16, 2023 in Lusaka, Zambia
  4. Wanja D.W., Mbuthia P.G., Aboge G. O., and Bebora L.C. (2021).  Preliminary Findings on Effects of Seasonality and Climate on Thermophilic Campylobacters Occurrence in Cattle, Chicken and Water in Kajiado County. In: Proc. of KCSAP 1st Scientific Conference held in Lake Naivasha Resort, Naivasha, Kenya, November 22nd -26th, ID no 12, p.65.
  5. Wanja D.W., Mbuthia P.G., Waruiru R.M., Mwadime J.M., Bebora L.C., Nyaga P.N. and Ngowi H.A. (2018). Preliminary findings of common bacterial pathogens affecting farmed fish in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. In: Proc. of KVA 52nd Annual Scientific Conference held in Green Hills Hotel, Nyeri, Kenya, April 25th-27th, ID no 43, p.64.
  6. Mwadime J.M., Waruiru R.M., Mbuthia P.G., Wanja D.W., Maina J.G., Mavuti S.K., Nzalawahe J. and Mdegela R.H. (2018). Heavy Neascus Species Infestation of Farmed Oreochromis niloticus in Kirinyaga County, Kenya. In: Proc. of KVA 52nd Annual Scientific Conference held in Green Hills Hotel, Nyeri, Kenya, April 25th-27th, ID no 44, p.65.
HONORS, PRIZE AND AWARDS
  • 3rd May 2024; Best student in PhD Thesis, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Nairobi
  • 18th Sept 2019; Awarded a Full PhD Scholarship and research grant by Kenya Climate Smart Agricultural Project through World Bank and Government of Kenya, to pursue PhD in Applied Microbiology at University of Nairobi.
  • 26th Sept 2016; Awarded Full Academic Scholarship by Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) through Capacity Building for Training and Research in Aquatic and Environmental Health in Eastern and Southern Africa (TRAHESA) to pursue MSc. in Health of Aquatic Animal Resources at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania.
TEACHING AREAS
  • Veterinary Bacteriology
  • Veterinary Virology and Mycology
  • Immunology and Vaccinology
  • Aquatic Health
OTHER SOCIETIES

Membership and affiliations

  • Kenya Veterinary Association (Membership No. 1536)
  • Registered and retained Veterinary Surgeon, Kenya Veterinary Board (Membership No. 2779)
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