CURRICULUM VITAE

1.0 Personal Details

Name : Katola Michael Thyaka

Address : Kenyatta University

School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

P.O. BOX 438444 Nairobi – Kenya

Telephone : (Office) 254-020-8710901 EXT. 57461

Mobile No : 0722989973

E-mail : mtkatola@yahoo.com

2.0 Academic Qualifications

Ph.D ( Religious studies) Kenyatta University.

Title of Thesis “Morality Among the Akamba A Case Study of Youth in Central

Division of Kitui District.1996-1990

M.A (Religious Studies) Kenyatta University.

Title of Thesis “The Akamba Concept of Taboo with Particular Reference to

Machakos District 1989-1985.

BEd Upper Second Class (Hons)(Kenyatta University college), University of Nairobi.

Subject studied: Education, PRS, Kiswahili 1985-1981

3.0 Employment History

January 2002 - to present: Senior Lecturer:

Kenyatta University, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

February 1992 – Dec. 2001: Lecturer:

Kenyatta University, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

September 1988 – Jan. 1992: Tutorial Fellow:

Kenyatta University, Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies

September 1985- June 1985 Graduate Teacher Ndagene Secondary School, Meru

University Courses Taught

a) Religious Studies

Introduction to African Religion and Culture

Belief systems in Kenya

Sources of African Religion

Sociology of Religion

The Church in Africa

Church History

Christian Response to Contemporary Issues

Ecumenical Movement

Comparative Religion

b) Philosophy

African Ethics and Morality

Phenomenology of Religion

Philosophy of Religion.

African Religious Philosophy

4.0 Post Graduate Supervision

4.1 Ongoing Supervision

1. C50/CE/14539/2009 Onserio Nyang’au. The influence of the Catholic Theology of

Sexuality on Teenage Girls in Njoro Deanary Nakuru County Kenya(MA Thesis)

2. C82/21935/2010 Bernard Gechiko Nyabwari. Holistic Christian Education for Character

Formation in Seventh-Day Adventist Church Sponsored Secondary Schools in Nyamira

County, Kenya.

3. C50/CE/11446/2008 Evans Aiko Mogire. The Response of the Seventh-Day Adventist

Church to the Belief and Practice of Witchcraft Among the Abagusii of Marani District,

Kisii County.

4. C50/CE/22298/2011, Dominic Kinyua Njagi. Continuity and Change in the Religious

Functions of Njuri Njeke in the Life of Ameru of Kenya.

5. C50/CE/14548/2009, Jelagat Arusei. The Influence of Christianity on Traditional

Marriage Symbols and Rituals Among the Nandi of Nandi North District, Kenya.

6. C50/CE/21641/2011, Loice Omote. The Seventh-Day Adventist Teaching on Sexual

Morality and its Effects on Youth in Rigoma District, Nyamira Conference, Kenya.

7. C82/24699/2011, Fredrick Otieno Amolo, Holistic Approach to Cross – Border Conflict

Resolution Between the Luo and Kalenjin Communities Along Muhoroni – Tinderet

Constituency, Kenya.

8. C50/CE/2584/2011, Justine Nyarinda Nyakweba, The Role of the P.C.E.A. in Controlling

Illicit Brews in Mukurwei-ini District, Nyeri County, Kenya.

9. C82/CE/22298/2011, Joy Nsabirye. Sexual Morality in Anglican Church Founded

Schools in Jinja District, Uganda.

10. Angeline Kanake, The Church Response to Enviromental Degradation in Kenya:The

case of Nyeri County.(Chuka University)

4.2 Successful Supervision of Students at Kenyatta University

1. Alex Kamwaria (2014). Integration of Indigenous Healing Approaches into Psycho-

Social mode of Trauma Healing for the Dinka Victims of Armed Conflict in South

Sudan. PhD Thesis.

2. Patrick G. M. Mungai (2009) Evangelizing Executives. A Case Study of Club Members

in Nairobi Kenya. PhD Thesis

3. Nahashon Gitonga (2005). The process of Inculturation of Christianity in Kenya. A Case

Study of Kaaga Methodist Synod, Meru. PhD Thesis.

4. Miriam A. C. Nwoye (2005). Transitional Ceremonies in Igbo Religion. The Case of Nri

and Ihiala people of Anambra State of Nigeria. PhD Thesis.

5. Margaret Gecaga (2004). A Study of the Controversy Surrounding the Introduction of

Family Life Education in Kenyan Schools PhD. Thesis.

6. Cyprian Kavivya(2003). The policy of the Catholic Church on Family Planning. A Case

Study of the Akamba of Kangundo Division of Machakos District PhD Thesis.

7. Josephine Gitome (2003). African Indigenous Guidance and counseling Techniques and

their Application in selected Nairobi Churches PhD Thesis.

8. Serah Ngila (2012). The Persistence of Iweto marriage Among the Akamba Christians of

Kangudo District. MA Thesis.

9. Bernard Nyabwari (2010). Inculturation of the Concept of God in the Traditional

Religion of the Abagusii of Western Kenya. MA Thesis.

10. Angeline Kariithi (2001). Continuity and change in the Practice of Cliteridectomy. A

Case Study of the Atharaka of Meru East District. MA Thesis.

11. Janet Kassilly (2001) Penetration of Islam Among the Ababukusu of Bungoma District up to

1998. MA Thesis.

12. Abdi Siyat (1999). Family Planning among the Somali Muslims of Garissa District. MA

Thesis

4.3 Successful Supervision of Students Outside Kenyatta University

1. J. A. Ireneo (2010). Effect of Armed Conflict in Performance and Discipline in Senior

Secondary Schools in Wau town, Southern Sudan MA Thesis MIAS, St Marys

University,Minessota.

2. Epimark M.Mkenda (2008). The Role of Elders in Moral formation. A Case Study of the

Agikuyu of Kiambu, Kenya MA Thesis MIAS, St Marys University,Minessota...

3. Timothy Gachanga (2007). An Exploration of how Primary School Teachers Employ

Indigenous Peace Knowledge in Building Peace in Schools. A Case Study of Primary

Schools in Kariobangi and Korogocho, Nairobi Kenya MA Thesis( Thesis reader) )

MIAS, St Marys University,Minessota.

4. M. B. Bazza (2001). The Notion of Community Involvement in African Indigenous

Marriage. A case Study of Nairobi 1997 – 2000 MA Thesis ( Thesis Reader) MIAS, St

Marys University,Minessota.

5.0 Administrative Responsibilities

Appointed by the Vice-Chancellor as the Ag. Director Teaching Practice Centre 15

August-9 September 2013

Appointed by the Vice-Chancellor as Acting Director, Teaching Practice Centre

December 2012-January 2013

Appointed by the Vice-Chancellor as Acting Director, Teaching Practice Centre,

Kenyatta University from 16 December 2013 – 14 January 2014

Appointed by the Vice-Chancellor as Chairman Department of Religious Studies 2001 –

2003

Appointed Acting Chairman, Department of Religious Studies ( Various times 1998-

2001)

Appointed Teaching Practice Coordinator, Machakos, Makueni and Kitui Districts 1997

Appointed Teaching Practice Coordinator, Machakos, Makueni and Kitui Counties 2005

– to date.

5.1 Renewal of Term of Office as Chairman of Department.

Reappointed as Chairman, Department of Religious Studies for a further period of two

years with effect from 31st January, 2003 (see attachment).

6.0 Membership of University Standing or Ad-hoc Committee

Appointed by the Vice-Chancellor as a Committee Member on Launching Teacher-

Student Mentorship Programme January 2014 (see attachment).

Appointed by the DVC (Academic) as a Member of a Committee Investigating Theft at

the Moi Library 1997.

Appointed by the Director, Teaching Practice Centre as a member of a Pilot Study

Committee on Student-Teacher Mentorship Programme

7.0 Departmental and School Responsibilities

1 Co-ordinator of Programmes, ODel, Regular and IBP 2005 – 2014

2 Departmental Examinations Officer 1990-1994

3 Member, Departmental Executive Committee 2001-2014

4 Chairperson, Departmental Verification Committee 2013-2014

5 Chairperson,Departmental e-Learning Committee 2014

6 Member,Institute of Police and Security Science Curriculum in the Shool of Humanities

and Social Science 2004.

8.0 Conferences, Workshops and Seminars Attended and Papers Presented

Teacher-Mentor Induction Workshop, Kenyatta University. Paper Presented – The

Relationship between Mentors and University Supervisors KUCC February 24th -25th

2014.

Curriculum Development for Undergraduate Courses. Workshop leader at St. Pauls

University (Requested by the University to facilitate the workshop).

11th Hekima College Symposium on Theology and Peace Building. Paper Presented “

The Role of African Cultural Values in Educating for Development, Peace Building and

Good Governance”. March 14th – 15th. and Cultures of Kenya”. August 4th 2011

Institute of Spirituality and Religious Formation Symposium. Paper presented – Forms of

accomplishment in Traditional African Cultures. Feb. 5th -7th 2 Institute of

Spirituality and Religious Formation Symposium. Tangaza College. Paper presented- The

Reality of Divination and Healing in African Traditional Culture- A response. February

6th.2007

Regional Conference on Challenges of Muslims in Eastern and Horn of Africa. AVU

Main Hall, Kenyatta University. August 1st – 4th 2006(Member of the organizing

committee).

Christian Brothers Karibu Programme. Loreto Mary ward Centre, Nairobi. Paper

presented “African Traditional Religion and Spirituality”. July 24th – 31st 2006

Kenya Association of Vocation Animators National Assembly Dimese Retreat Centre.

Paper presented – Witchcraft and Evil Spirits in candidates and Religious life. October

23rd – 28th 2005

National Spiritual Assembly of the Bahai’s of Kenya Seminar. Paper Presented

“Strategies for Interfaith Activities in Kenya”. October 16th. 2003

N.C.C.K. Interfaith Consultation on Conflict management and Peace Building. April

2003 KCB Management Centre, Karen, Paper presented – Building a culture of Peace

through Reconciliation from an African Traditional Religion’s Perspective.

Association of Theological Institutions in Eastern Africa. Sokoine University, Tanzania.

The Association for the Study of Religions (AASR) Conference. Theme: Religions of the

World in the Age of Globalization. Amani Conference Centre, Nairobi. August 27th – 31st

2000 (Member of the organizing committee).

Bahai Faith Seminar. Grand Regency Hotel, Nairobi. 17 June 1998.

The Akamba. A paper presented during Kenyatta University Culture Week. June 1998

Association of Theological Institutions in Eastern Africa. J. J. Mcarthy Centre, Nairobi.

Theme: The Mission of the Church in the 21st Century. April 19th – 23th 1995

(Departmental representative)

9.0 Convening and Coordinating conferences

Member of the organizing committee,The Association for the study of Religions(AASR)

conference.Amani Conference Centre.Theme Religions of the world in the Age of

Globilization August 27-31 1999..

Member of the technical Committee,Regional conference on Islam in Eastern Africa

10.0 Research and Publications

10.1 Books and Modules

1. Serah Ngila, Nasimiyu-wasike, Michael T. Katola. The persistence of Iweto Marriage

Among the Akamba Christians of Kangundo District. LAP Lambert Academic Publishing,

2012.

2. Bernard G. Nyabwari, Michael T. Katola. Inculturation of the Gusii Traditional Concept of

God Lap Lambert Academic Publishing, 2012.

3. Michael T. Katola and Zablon Nthamburi Sociology of Religion Module.Kenyatta University

Press.

10.2 Book Chapter

Michael T. Katola, Building a culture of Peace through Reconciliation from an African

Traditional Religious Perspective.In Getui M and Musyoni W. Overcoming Violence A Faith

Based Response.Nairobi NCCK pp37-50, 2003.

10.3 Articles in Refereed Journals

1. Bernard Nyabwari and Michael T. Katola Constraints and Prospects of Inculturation in

Kenya. International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences Vol

4 No 2 2014 pp 282-6990.

2. Michael T. Katola. The Refugees and the Displaced in Africa. A Challenge to Christians.

In African Journal of Evangelical Theology Vol. 17th February, 1998 pp 141-151

3. Michael T. Katola. Ethnicity in Contemporary African Society with Particular Reference

to Kenya. In all Africa Journal of Theology Vol. 1. No. 1, 2001 PP 30-38.

4. Michael T. Katola and Alex Kamwaria. The role of African Traditional Culture and

Word view in Context of Post-war Healing Among the Dinka of Southern Sudan. In

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Vol. 2 No 1, Nov. 2012 PP49-55

5. Michael T. Katola and Alex Kamwaria. Reconciliation and Healing in a Post-accord

Nation. Exploring Popular Perceptions of Responsiveness of Truth Justice and

Reconciliation Commission in Kenya. In the Cradle of Knowledge. African Journal of

Educational and Social Science Research Vol. 1 2013 pp 18-29.

6. Michael T. Katola, Daniel Muindi and Benard Nyabwari; Holistic Christian Education

for Character formation in Seventh-day Adventist Church Sponsored Secondary

Schools in Nyamira County, Kenya. In International Journal of Academic Research in

Progressive Education and Development Vol. 2 No. 1, 2013 pp 244-256.

7. Michael T. Katola and Bernard Nyabwari. Mission of the Church in Overcoming Poverty

in Africa. In Asian Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities Vol. 2. No 4, Nov. 2013

PP 274-280.

8. Michael T. Katola,Josephine Gitome and Bernard Nyabwari. Correlation between

students’ Discipline and Performance in Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education. In

International Journal of Education and Research Vol. 1 No 8, 2013 PP 125-134

10.4 Articles in other Journals

1. Michael T. Katola Church Leaders and Politics in Kenya. In the Christian Educator.

Journal of Religious Education Vol. 12 No. 1, 1998 pp 8-12

2. Michael T. Katola. Child Care in African Society. In Eastern African Journal of

Historical and Social Science Research Vol. 2 No. 1 2000 pp 1-13

11.0 Fellowships

Awarded two year scholarship by Kenyatta University to study for Master of Arts degree at the

University.

12.0 Research

1 .Actively involved in fund raising through group proposal writing at St. John’s Community

Centre (see attachment)

2. The influence of Religious Education on Primary School Children in Pumwani Division

,Nairobi Kenya (ongoing-self sponsored)

13.0 Developing Programmes External to Kenyatta University.

Appointed as a Resource person for several Programmes at the Commission for Higher

Education (Now Commission for University Education) since 2002

Appointed by the Commission for Higher Education to site inspections of various

universities in collaboration with the Curricullum accreditation committee.

Resource Person, Curriculum and Teaching Methodology for St. Paul’s University,

Faculty of Theology Staff and their Affiliated Diploma Colleges. January 6th, 2010.

Appointed as External Subject Advisor for Religious Studies, Kigali Institute of

Education. October 1st, 2007 (see attachment).

14.0 Community Service and Recognition

Appointed by the Ministry of Education as Board Member, Thomeandu Boys Secondary

School 2008 - to date.

Appointed by the ACK Diocese of Nairobi as Chairman of the Board, St. John

Community Centre, Pumwani Nairobi. 2013-todate.

Appointed by the ACK Diocese of Nairobi as Board Member, St. Johns Community

Centre, Pumwani Nairobi. 2011 – 2013.

Appointed by the ACK Diocese of Nairobi as Synod Member.2011-todate

Appointed by UPEACE Africa programme as overseer UPEACE-IDRC award agreement

signed between Alex Kamwaria and UPEACE.

Appointed by the Overseas Ministries Study Centre as liaison coordinator of the

Dictionary of African Christian Biography at Kenyatta University

14.1 External Examination

2003 – 2004: Daystar University: Examined courses in Theology.

2003 – 2005: Kenya Methodist University: Examined courses in Theology and

Religious Studies.

2002 – 2014: Catholic University of Eastern Africa: Examined courses in Religious

Studies, Theology and Critical Thinking.

2005 – 2009: University of Nairobi: Examined courses in Religious Studies and Critical

Thinking.

2009 – 2012: Marist International University College Examined courses in

Religious Studies, theology and Critical Thinking

2010 – 2013: Christ The Teacher Institute for Education: Examined courses in

Theology, Religious Studies and Methods of Teaching

2011 – 2013: Kenya Methodist University. Examined M.A Theses.

15.0 Membership

Member, Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians (EATWOT)

Member,Psychological Society of Kenya.

Member, Organisation of Social Science Research in Eastern and Southern Africa

(OSSREA)

16.0 Quality Teaching, Performance and Commitment to Duty

Evaluated by students and awarded grade A (see attachment)

17.0 Academic Leadership

Revised the old Curriculum at the Department in my tenure as Chairman and forwarded

them to the school of Humanities and Social Sciences Curriculum Committee

Represented the department in a consultative workshop on the teaching of Religious

Studies in the National Universities held at Brachenhurst Baptist Conference Centre on

8th -9th November 1996.I effected many of the recommendations during my tenure as

Chairman of department.

18.0 Research Interest

Religion and Society

Sociology of Religion

African Religo-cultural values

Religious Education in Kenya

Academic Referees

Prof. Jude Ongong’a

Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies

Kenyatta University

P.O. Box 43844-00100

NAIROBI.

Prof. Robert Murungi

Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies

Kenyatta University

P.O. Box 43844-00100

NAIROBI.

Prof. Augustine Karugu

Department of Educational Foundations

Kenyatta University

P.O. Box 43844-00100

NAIROBI.