Introduction

The Energy, Gas, and Petroleum Engineering Department was established in 2023 as the successor to the former Energy Technology and Gas and Petroleum Engineering Departments. Its mandate is to address energy and environmental issues through training and research in sustainable and green energy systems, as well as to support human resource development for the emerging Kenyan oil and gas industry, the growing petrochemical industry other oil and gas discoveries in the region. The department focuses on training and research in energy resources, exploration, generation, utilization, and conversion technologies. We acknowledge that energy is a critical component of any nation's or community's development. As a result, we recognize the importance of developing new energy technologies as well as utilizing existing resources more efficiently and sustainably.

 

Kenya’s vision 2030 places energy among the six main pillars of development. This has resulted to more effort and support from the government and other institutions, which Kenyatta University is part of, to explore and exploit more energy resources, both conventional and renewable energy sources, such as solar energy, bio-energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, hydropower, coal, natural gas and petroleum. With continued increase in the demand and cost of energy in Kenya and around the world, there is now an urgent demand for a well-trained workforce to develop, process, utilize and manage conventional, unconventional and renewable energy sources in an environmentally safe and economically feasible way. In addition, after many years of unsuccessful exploration, Kenya discovered its first commercially viable oil reserves. The country is currently estimated to have in excess of 800 million barrels of crude oil reserves. The Tertiary Rift Basin and gas in the Lamu Basin offshore wells indicate the presence of viable quantities of oil and gas, and thus a significant potential for oil and gas production. However, the region lacks technical capacity, particularly in the upstream oil and gas sector. This, along with other midstream and downstream challenges, places significant constraints on the economic exploitation of the oil and gas potential in the country and region, necessitating the need for specialized trained manpower in fields relevant to the oil and gas sector, such as reservoir characterization, drilling and reservoir production technology, and enhanced oil and gas recovery technologies.

 

Our Energy Technology and Petroleum Engineering programmes are designed to develop graduates who will address the national as a well as the global challenges in the energy sector. Graduates from the programmes will be involved in a wide range of careers that may include: reservoir characterization, drilling and reservoir production technology, enhanced oil and gas recovery technologies, transition pathways from conventional to new energy systems, efficient and sustainable energy supply in buildings and manufacturing processes, energy analysis and auditing, development of renewable energy systems and technologies, managing the integration of renewable energy generation into existing power systems, energy systems installation and commissioning, project management, energy consultancy, formulation of future energy policies, among others.

 

Vision

To become a globally recognized Renewable Energy and Petroleum Engineering Teaching, Research and Technical Training Centre of Excellence, for the Energy Industry.

 

Mission

To build the capacity of renewable energy, gas and petroleum engineering professionals by providing the skills-set to serve in the various streams in the energy sector in Kenya and globally.

Objectives of Our Department:

  1. To produce renewable energy, oil and gas graduates with the necessary training solutions for the energy, sector.
  2. To advance research in renewable oil and gas and sustainable energy systems for industrial development.
  • To promote cascaded dissemination of knowledge and technology transfer on renewable energy, oil and gas technologies and management.
  1. To initiate and maintain collaborations with like-minded entities to entrench energy initiatives in the Country and beyond.
  2. To develop highly flexible and quality renewable energy and petroleum engineering responsive programmes suited to the energy, sector of the Economy.

 

Rationale

With continued increase in the demand and cost of energy in Kenya and around the world, there is now an urgent demand for a well-trained workforce to develop process, utilize and manage conventional, unconventional, and renewable energy sources in an environmentally safe and economically feasible way.  With the introduction to the ideas of energy technology, students will understand the nature and role of energy in the world and daily lives. Associated hands-on activities help them identify various energy types in their surroundings and enhance their understanding of the concept of energy technology.  This will help them formulate energy solutions that are affordable, sustainable and less destructive to the environment.

PROGRAMMES

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

Currently the department offers the following degree courses:

  1. Energy Technology
  2. Sc. Petroleum Engineering

 

BSc. Energy Technology

Duration and Pattern of the Programme

The programme covers a minimum of four (4) academic years.  Throughout the course of study, a candidate is required to take 14 units in any given year of study except first year which has 15 units. A semester consists of 16 weeks and the teaching hours for technology-oriented courses are 42 hours.  During the first, second and third year, students take some units from other departments.  To qualify for the award of the degree, the candidate should have passed not less than 58 units plus the industrial attachment unit. To facilitate hands-on practical experiences, Energy Technology students have a third trimester in second and third years of study. During the second year’s third trimester, the students undertake a compulsory internal attachment while during the third year’s third trimester, they undertake a compulsory external industrial attachment.

Entry requirements

  1. For KCSE candidates ,applicants must meet the University common regulations and score C+ (Plus) and above at KCSE or equivalent with at least;

Mathematics                C+

Physics                        C+

Chemistry                    C+

English                        C+

  1. National Diploma holders in any Engineering, from recognized institutions will be accepted as follows :
  2. Higher Diploma or Equivalent

A candidate with at least a credit pass in the Higher Diploma shall be eligible for admission into the programme. A qualified Higher Diploma applicant shall normally be admitted into the second year of study or given equivalent credit transfer.

  1. Basic University Diploma or Ordinary Diploma or Equivalent.

A candidate with at least accredit pass in the Ordinary Diploma or University Basic Diploma (lasting at least 3 academic years) and who in addition had attained at least a C (Plain) for mean aggregate and C+ (plus) in Mathematics and Physic at K.C.S.E shall be eligible for admission into the programme. A qualified diploma applicant shall normally be admitted into the second year of study or given equivalent credit transfers.

 

B.Sc. Petroleum Engineering

Duration and Structure of the programme.

The B.Sc. Petroleum Engineering programme covers a minimum of five (5) academic years, with all subjects taught in units including practical lessons. Each candidate is required to take a minimum of 16 units per academic year. To qualify for the B.Sc. Petroleum Engineering Degree award, the candidate will be required to have taken a minimum of 80 units. A semester shall consist of 16 weeks with 2 examination weeks. To facilitate hands-on industrial practice experience, the B.Sc. Petroleum Engineering students shall have a trimester in second, third and fourth years in conformity with the requirements of the Engineering board of Kenya (EBK). During the second-year trimester, the student will undertake a compulsory practical internal attachment while during the third- and fourth-year trimesters, they will undertake compulsory industrial attachments.

 

Entry Requirements.

  1. For KCSE candidates ,applicants must meet the University common regulations and score C+ (Plus) and above at KCSE or equivalent with at least;

Mathematics:                           C+

Physics:                                   C+

Chemistry:                               C+

English:                                   C+

Geography/Biology:                C+

  1. National Diploma holders in Petroleum Engineering or Chemical Engineering, from recognized institutions will be accepted as follows :

 

  • Higher Diploma or Equivalent

A candidate with at least a credit pass in the Higher Diploma shall be eligible for admission into the programme. A qualified Higher Diploma applicant shall normally be admitted into the second year of study or given equivalent credit transfer.

  1. Basic University Diploma or Ordinary Diploma or Equivalent.

A candidate with at least accredit pass in the Ordinary Diploma or University Basic Diploma (lasting at least 3 academic years) and who in addition had attained at least a C (Plain) for mean aggregate and C+ (plus) in Mathematics and Physic at K.C.S.E shall be eligible for admission into the programme. A qualified diploma applicant shall normally be admitted into the second year of study or given equivalent credit transfers.

 

POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMMES

The Department offers two (2) postgraduate programmes namely;

  1. Master of Science (Renewable Energy Technology)
  2. Doctor of Philosophy (Renewable Energy Technology)

 

  1. Renewable Energy Technology (2 years programme)

Entry requirements

Students wishing to pursue a MSc. Renewable Energy Technology program must satisfy the following conditions;

  1. Bachelor of science in( energy Engineering /Technology/ Applied science)or any other Engineering and Technology related areas with Second-Class Honours (Upper Division)
  2. Those with Second Class (Lower Division) in the said areas may be considered on condition that they have relevant experience of at least 2 years.

 

     2. Renewable Energy Technology (3 years programme)

Entry requirements

Students wishing to pursue a PhD. Renewable Energy Technology programme must have a master’s Degree in related Science or engineering from Kenyatta University or any other recognized institution.

Academic Staff and Specialization

  1. Dr. Francis Njoka (Chairman) – Solar energy, Hydrogen & fuel cells systems, energy analysis and management
  2. Dr. Joseph Muguthu – Energy modelling and process engineering
  3. Dr. Osodo Booker Onyango – Bioenergy studies and environmental engineering
  4. Dr. Eng. Daniel Okang’a Oyoo. – Chemical and Processing Engineering
  5. Dr. Eng. Chris Muli Wambua. -  Gas Engineering
  6. Mr. Elias Ako – Thermal sciences and engineering
  7. Mrs. Eng. Dorothy Wadhwa Maina. - Chemical engineering and Biotechnology
  8. Mr. Samuel Maina Ngure - Energy, Electrical and Electronics Technology
  9. Ms. Veronica Ngunzi - Agricultural processing Engineering, Energy Management, Renewable energy and Thermal energy systems.
  10. Mr. Emmanuel Yeri - Bioenergy, Energy modelling, Energy planning and Policy, and Energy auditing.
  11. Ms. Kay Nyaboe Nyakundi - Renewable energy, energy efficiency and management.
  12. Mr. Teddy Miller Samo - Renewable energy, energy efficiency and management.
  13. Mr. Antony Fundia Simbiri - Drilling and Production Engineering

Adjunct Professors.

  1. Eng. Prof. Stephen Adewole. University of Benin, Nigeria.
  2. Eng. Prof. Sunday Ikiensikiama Sunday. University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
  3. Eng. Prof. Joel Ogbona Friday. University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria
  4. Eng. Prof. Thomas Adebayo. Higher Colleges of Technology, United Arab Emirates

 External Examiner.

  1. Eng. Duncan Onyango Mbuge

External Part time Lecturers

  1. Thomas Thoruwa
  2. Eng. Christopher Maina
  3. James Koske
  4. David Wekesa
  5. Roy Orenge
  6. Evan Murimi
  7. Nadir Hashim
  8. Franklin Kinoti
  9. Kennedy Awuor
  10. Gathu Kirubi
  11. Isaac Maina
  12. George Magore
  13. Augustine Ruto
  14. Mary Opondo
  15. Dan Ojwang
  16. Patrick Njuguna
  17. Asaph Mbugua Muhia
  18. Oroko Joanes Agung
  19. Bruno Robert Moses
  20. Harriet Ngatha
  21. Peter Okaka

University Linkages:

  1. The University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.
  2. The University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
  3. The University of Benin, Nigeria.
  4. The China University of Petroleum, Quindao, China.
  5. Kangwon University, South Korea.
  6. Higher colleges of Technology, Abu Dhabi, UAE.
  7. IOWA State University USA.
  8. University of Missouri, USA.
  9. University of Colorado, USA.
  10. Akita University, Japan
  11. University of Western Ontario
  12. Carlos III University of Madrid

 Industrial links/collaborations

  1. East African Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Efficiency (EACREEE)
  2. Ministry of Energy and Petroleum (MOEP)
  • Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA)
  1. Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC)
  2. Kenya Electricity Generating Company (Kengen)
  3. Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO)
  • Geothermal Development Company (GDC)
  • Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)
  1. Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS)
  2. National Industrial Training Authority (NITA)
  3. Kenya Renewable Energy Association (KEREA)
  • URBASOLAR Group - France
  • African Solar Designs (ASD)
  • French National Solar Energy Institute (INES)
  1. Kenya Oil Gas Association (KOGA),
  • Tullow Oil Kenya

 
STUDENT SOCIETIES

Kenyatta University Energy Engineering Club

The energy engineering club is a  departmental welfare society for the students who  champion for clean energy and energy conservation in Kenya, Africa and beyond. It brings together Energy Technology students and professionals in the various Energy fields together through various activities and programs, the club aims at building the capacity of Energy Technology students through giving insights on what their field entails. The club is not limited to Energy, Gas and Petroleum department & students however students registered in the Energy technology program  in Kenyatta University become members by default. The Objectives Capacity building for the next frontier of energy professionals, Welfare, networking and industrial linkages and Sensitization of the Net Zero Plan and other environmental CSR’s. We always encourage new students to plug in and get the best out of such initiatives - KUEE is vibrant on social media on twitter https://twitter.com/EnergyClubKU, LinkedIn  and https://chat.whatsapp.com/GZzBNbn4KtS80vWoTZLp, Whatsapp:https://chat.whatsapp.com/GZzBNbn4KtS80vWoTZLp.  Follow and stay informed.

Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE)- KUSC

Society of Petroleum Engineers -Kenyatta University Student Chapter (SPE- KUSC) is a Departmental student welfare society. It is part of the global professional body for Petroleum Engineers which is based in Houston Texas, USA. Since initiation in March 2016, SPE- KUSC has been at the forefront of supplementing our curriculum by giving our students a vital link to Oil and Gas industries worldwide.

This has given them a much-needed competitive edge in this ever-evolving industry. In 2017, it was globally recognized as a Gold Standard Chapter, a much-acclaimed prize. In 2020 we received the Millstones Anniversary certificate for furthering SPE-KUSC mission and supporting local membership.
Some of the activities include; technical workshops, career fairs, networking dinners and team building excursions. It is truly a joy to see our students flourishing and gaining relevant technical skills, leadership skills, networking and mentorship opportunities. We always encourage new students to plug in and get the best out of such initiatives -KUSC is vibrant on social media on twitter (@spe_ku), Instagram (spe_ku), LinkedIn (SPE KUSC) and Facebook (spe ku). Follow and stay informed.

Department of Gas and Petroleum Engineering
The Chairperson
Department of Gas and Petroleum Engineering
School of Engineering and Technology
Kenyatta University
P.O. Box 43844-00100
Tel.: 020-870 4501/4503
E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.