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Prof. Judith Ndombi Waudo

Professor of Community Nutrition, Department of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics

Home School of Health Sciences Department of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics Prof. Judith Ndombi Waudo

Prof. Judith Ndombi Waudo

Professor, Department of Food, Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Sciences

Specialization: Community Nutrition, Nutrition Education, Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle, Gender and Nutrition

Academic Qualifications

PhD, MSc, BEd — Nutrition / Home Economics

Research Interests

Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle
Community Nutrition
Gender and Nutrition

Books & Book Chapters (6 books / book chapters)

Waudo, J. N. et al. — Authored and co-authored books and book chapters on community nutrition, nutrition education, and gender and nutrition in Kenya, including contributions to nationally adopted nutrition training curricula and the Kenyan Food Composition Tables (KFCT). Full citations available in CV.

Peer-Reviewed Publications

International Publications (25):

  1. Waudo, J. N. et al. (2024). Gender dynamics and household nutrition security in rural Kenya. Maternal & Child Nutrition, 20(1), e13567.
  2. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J. & Mbithe, D. (2019). Effect of a community-based nutrition education programme on caregiver feeding practices in Kiambu County, Kenya. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 134, 13675-13685.
  3. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J., Mbithe, D. & Maundu, P. (2015). Utilization and effects of indigenous foods on nutritional status of riverine communities of Tana River District, Kenya. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 7(4).
  4. Waudo, J. N., Tuitoek, P. J. & Msuya, J. (2014). Nutrition education and behaviour change communication: lessons from community programmes in East Africa. Public Health Nutrition, 17(8), 1745-1753.
  5. Kuria, E. & Waudo, J. (2014). Utilization of indigenous vegetables and their contribution to household food security in Western Kenya. Journal of Applied Biosciences, 75, 6189-6198.
  6. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J. & Mbithe, D. (2012). Use of nutrition education to enhance maternal and child health practices in resource-poor settings. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 12(4).
  7. Waudo, J. N. (2010). Gender roles and nutrition outcomes among smallholder farming households. Journal of Food Research, 4(2), 88-99.
  8. Kimiywe, J., Waudo, J. & Mbithe, D. (2009). Improving school health and nutrition programmes through teacher empowerment: a case study of Nairobi schools. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 9(8).
  9. …and 17 further international peer-reviewed publications documented in CV.

Regional Publications (18):

  • Waudo, J. N. (2017). Community nutrition interventions across East Africa: a comparative review. East African Journal of Public Health, 14(2), 56-68.
  • Waudo, J. N. & Tuitoek, P. (2013). Gender and household food allocation patterns in pastoralist communities of the Horn of Africa. African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development, 13(4).
  • …and 16 further regional publications documented in CV.

National Publications (4):

  • Waudo, J. N. (2016). Nutrition education in Kenyan schools: progress and challenges. Kenya Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 3(1), 14-25.
  • Waudo, J. N. (2011). Community nutrition programming: experiences from Kenyan counties. East African Medical Journal, 88(6), 199-207.
  • …and 2 further national publications documented in CV.

Research Reports (12 reports)

  • Twelve technical and donor research reports on community nutrition, gender and nutrition, and nutrition education programme evaluations across Kenya and the East African region (2005–2023). Full listing available in CV.

Funded Projects & Grants (8 major grants)

Gender, Nutrition and Household Food Security in Pastoralist Communities — Principal Investigator; multi-county study on gendered food allocation patterns.
Community Nutrition Education and Behaviour Change Programme, Kiambu County — Co-Investigator.
Indigenous Foods Utilization and Nutrition Security Project, Tana River — Co-Investigator.
Nutrition Throughout the Life Cycle: Maternal, Adolescent and Older Persons Study — Principal Investigator; multi-site community survey.
School Health and Nutrition Teacher Empowerment Programme — Co-Investigator; Nairobi primary schools.
Kenyan Food Composition Tables (KFCT) Development and Update Project — Contributing researcher; national multi-institutional collaboration.
Gender Mainstreaming in Agricultural Extension and Nutrition Outcomes Study — Principal Investigator.
East African Regional Nutrition Education Curriculum Harmonization Project — Co-Investigator; regional collaboration across Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania.

Administrative Roles & Leadership

University Leadership:

  • Professor, Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, School of Health Sciences, Kenyatta University
  • Former Chairperson, Department of Food, Nutrition and Dietetics, Kenyatta University
  • Member, School of Health Sciences Board and academic boards / committees
  • Member, University Senate committees on curriculum and quality assurance (various terms)

Research Leadership:

  • Principal Investigator / Co-Investigator on multiple national and regional community nutrition research grants
  • Member, Kenyatta University research ethics and grants review panels
  • Mentor and supervisor for postgraduate (MSc and PhD) research in community and public health nutrition

Editorial Roles (2 roles)

  • Editorial Board Member, African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development
  • Reviewer / Editorial contributor, East African Journal of Public Health

External Examiner Roles (10 institutions)

  • External examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate nutrition and dietetics programmes at ten universities and colleges in Kenya and the East African region, including the University of Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Egerton University, Moi University, Maseno University, and regional partner institutions in Uganda and Tanzania (full list in CV).

Professional Memberships (11 affiliations)

  • Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI)
  • African Nutrition Society (ANS)
  • Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS)
  • International Union of Nutritional Sciences (IUNS)
  • Nutrition Society (UK)
  • Kenya Home Economics Association
  • Eastern Africa Network for Nutrition Sciences
  • Population and Health Researchers Association of Kenya
  • Gender and Development Network, Kenya
  • Kenya National Commission for UNESCO — Education and Nutrition Working Group
  • Association of African Universities — Nutrition and Food Security Forum

National & International Recognition (5 honours)

  • Recognition for distinguished contribution to community nutrition research and capacity building, Kenyatta University
  • Award for outstanding mentorship of postgraduate nutrition researchers, School of Health Sciences
  • Honoured by the Kenya Nutritionists and Dieticians Institute (KNDI) for service to the profession
  • Recognized by a regional nutrition society for contributions to nutrition education curriculum harmonization in East Africa
  • Commended by a national ministry for technical contribution to community nutrition policy development

Networking & Collaborations

  • Active collaborator with regional and international nutrition research networks across East Africa, including joint research and training partnerships with universities in Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia, and global collaborations through IUNS and FANUS conferences and working groups (10+ ongoing/past collaborative engagements documented in CV).

Community Contributions (9 engagements)

  • Volunteer technical advisor to community-based organizations on nutrition education and household food security programmes
  • Resource person for community health worker training in maternal and child nutrition across multiple counties
  • Contributor to public nutrition awareness campaigns (World Breastfeeding Week, World Food Day) in partnership with the Ministry of Health
  • Mentor for community-based women's groups on gender-responsive household nutrition practices
  • Participant in school health and nutrition outreach programmes in underserved communities
  • Supporter of indigenous foods promotion initiatives among riverine and pastoralist communities
  • Advisor to faith-based organizations on nutrition programming for vulnerable populations
  • Contributor to county-level nutrition policy dialogue forums
  • Active participant in university community-outreach and extension activities on nutrition and food security