Kenyan researchers win top prizes in international competition 06/04/2010

Kenyans Scoop Top Prizes at  International Scientific Works Competition

Kenyan researchers, Dr. Mohamed Omar Said Mohamed of Kenya Wildlife Society and Mr. Joseph Kimunge Macharia of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology scooped top prizes during an International competition for scientific works that contribute significantly to the knowledge that can be applied for the development of the South. The competition funded by the Belgian Development Cooperation 2010 was organized by the Royal Museum for Central Africa and the awards ceremony was held at the Colonial Palace, Tervuren, Brussels on 24 March 2010.

The theme for the competition was “Biodiversity and Environment for a Better Life” and there were ten finalists participating in the event. In the senior researchers category comprising of four scientists, Dr. Mohamed whose field of study is Ecological Marine Management emerged the winner with his work on: Are peri – urban mangrove forests viable? Effects of sewerage pollution and wood exploitation on the structure and development of the mangroves of Mombasa, Kenya.  While Mr. Macharia’s work on: Status and the potential of stingless bees (Apidae: Meliponinae) for forest conservation and income generation: A case study of Kakamega forest won in his category of six competitors.

The Belgian Minister for Development Cooperation, Mr. Charles Michel presented certificates and prizes, which included a credit line of funding to research in their areas of interest to the winners. The scientists who made it to the top ten and earned a chance to participate in the final event were from Peru, Belgian, Kenya, Benin, Vietnam and Tanzania.