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Dr. Najma Dharani

Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant Sciences

Home School of Pure & Applied Sciences Department of Plant Sciences Dr. Najma Dharani

Dr. Najma Dharani

Senior Lecturer, Department of Plant Sciences

Research Interests

Plant/Environmental Ecology: Impact of Urbanization and Industrialization (Toxic metal pollution) on Biodiversity of different ecosystems (Aquatic & Terrestrial) and their Conservation and Management
Ethno Botanical Research - Research on Medicinal Plants to prevent, treat and cure Human, Livestock and Poultry diseases. In addition, Ecology, Domestication, Utilization & Conservation of East African Indigenous Medicinal Plants. - Assessment of Ecological Distribution, Diversity, Abundance and Ethno-botanical Surveys of Indigenous Food Plants including their Utilization and Importance in food security, health, nutrition and their role in livelihoods of the various communities in East Africa.
Biodiversity Conservation and Management: Distribution, ecology, morphology, economic and socio-economic and ecological significance and conservation status of East African Flora and Fauna
Ecosystem Restoration: Conservation and rehabilitation of degraded forest ecosystems (both marine and terrestrial) through community-based reforestation and restoration
Climate Smart Agriculture Practices & Principles of Evergreen Agriculture for sustainable farming practices (Conservation Agriculture) used in the East African Region for better land use, enhancing soil fertility, food security, livelihood and environmental resilience & sustainability

Academic Qualifications

Plant/Environmental Ecology(Both Aquatic & Terrestrial Ecology)
Ethno-botany (Indigenous Useful Plants of East Africa)
Conservation Biology (Biodiversity Conservation and Management)

Refereed Journal Articles

  1. Eric Muthama, Namikoye Everlyne Samita, Najma Dharani , Rebecca Karanja (29th May, 2024). Enhancing Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices: A focus on the production of African Indigenous Vegetables and Pulsesin Kenya. Internationl Journal of Agriculture and Technology (IJAT). 2024; 4(1): 1-11. ISSN: 2770-2928.
  2. Rita Kanini Mulatya, Benards Okeyo, Najma Dharani (7 th October, 2023) . Assessment of Ecological Distribution, Species Diversity, Utilization and Conservation of Indigenous Medicinal Plants in Kilifi North, Kilifi County, Kenya. International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences (fortune journals).13 (4): 91-105. ISSN: 2231 – 4490. DOI:10.26502/ijpaes.4490155.
  3. Eric Muthama, Rebecca Karanja, Namikoye Everlyne Samita, Najma Dharani (30 th September, 2023) . Impacts of Selected Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices on African Indigenous Vegetables in Kenyan Drylands. Trends in Agriculture Scieneces. 2(3), 2023, 378-386. ISSN: 2957-9449 (Online); ISSN: 2957-9430 (Print). https://doi.org/10.17311/tas.2023.378.386 .
  4. Wanyera Francis, Mutugi Chira Robert, Najma Dharani, Gichuki Nathaniel (August 2022) . Ecological Restoration as a Strategy to Ecosystem Conservation and Community Livelihood: A Case Study of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy . Vol. 10, No. 4, 2022, pp. 109-117. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20221004.15.
  5. Wanyera Francis, Mutugi Chira Robert, Najma Dharani, Gichuki Nathaniel (August 2022) .Ecological Ethics and Community Engagement Approach to Ecosystems Conservation: A Case Study of Volcanoes National Park in Rwanda. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy. 10, No. 4, 2022, pp. 101-108. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20221004.14.
  6. David Amakanga, Benards Okeyo and Najma Dharani (2021) . The Assessment of Structure and Natural Regeneration Capacity of Avicennia marina and Bruguiera gymnorrhiza Species of Mangroves in Mida Creek Kilifi County, Kenya. J. Plant Anim. Environ. Sci. 11 (2) : 262-294. (DOI: 10.26502/ijpaes.202106 ).
  7. Ogola Kevin Omollo, Najma Dharani and Benards Okeyo (2021). Assesment of sequestration ptential and biomass accumulation of managed mangrove plantations of Mida Creek, Kilifi County, Kenya. J. Plant Anim. Environ. Sci. 11 (2) : 233-250. (DOI: 10.26502/ijpaes.202104 ).
  8. Godfrey Wafula, Mwakio Tole, Najma Dharani and Stanley Nadir (2020). Effectiveness of EPZ Wastewater Treatment Plant in reducing Pollutants discharged into River Athi, Kenya. Envir Sci & Engineer. B9: 261-276. Print: A (ISSN 2162-5298); Online: A (ISSN 2162-5301). Doi: 10.17265/2162-5263/2020.06.004.
  9. Najma Dharani (2020). A review of Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Activities of Ethnomedicinal Warburgia ugandensis Sprague ssp. ugandensis in East Africa. J. Kenya.Vol. 24, No.03; Pp 67-71. ISSN: 2411-6386.
  10. Hussein A. Aden and Najma Dharani (2019). Investigation of the Distribution and Abundance of Butterfly in the Nature Reserve of Arabuko Sokoke Forest Reserve, Kilifi County, Kenya. Int J Plant Anim Environ Sci 2019; 9 (4): 222-236. (DOI: 10.26502/ijpaes.008)
  11. Wanyera Francis, Kinyamario J., Najma Dharani and Robert M. 2018 Ecotourism and local community activities on ecosystem changes in and around Volcanoes National Park, Rwanda International journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences (IJPAJX) IJPAJX Vol. 8, No. 3 ISSN-2231-4490 (DOI: 10.21276/Ijpaes
  12. Wanyera Francis, Kinyamario J., Najma Dharani and Robert M. 2018 Population dynamics and land-use changes around protected areas. A case of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Uganda. International journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences (IJPAJX) IJPAJX Vol. 8, No. 3 ISSN-2231-4490(DOI: 10.21276/Ijpaes
  13. Carol J Rotich and Najma Dharani 2018 Species Distribution, Diversity and Conservation of Indigenous Medicinal Plants in Selected Areas of Baringo County, Kenya Journal of Chemical, Biological and Physical Sciences J. Chem. Bio. Phy. Sci. Vol. 8, No. 3; 000-000. [DOI:10.24214/jcbps.B.8.3.00000.]
  14. Najma Dharani 2016 Traditional Ethnomedicinal uses and phytochemical compounds of Carissa spinarum L. in East Africa: a review. Pharm Journal - Published by Kenyatta University Pharmacy Students Association (KUPHSA). Kenyatta University Press (KUP)PHARM J. July –Dec 2016, Vol. 02
  15. Najma Dharani 2016 Traditional Ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry and pharmacological properties of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. in East Africa: a review. Pharm Journal - Published by Kenyatta University Pharmacy Students Association (KUPHSA). Kenyatta University Press (KUP) PHARM J. July –Dec 2016, Vol. 02
  16. Najma Dharani 2016 A Review of Traditional Uses and Phytochemical Constituents of Indigenous Syzygium Species in East Africa Pharmaceutical Journal of Kenya Pharma. J. Kenya. Vol. 22, No 4. ISSN 2411-6386
  17. Najma Dharani 2016 A Review of Traditional Medicinal Uses and Phytochemical Constituents of Exotic Syzygium Species in East Africa Pharmaceutical Journal of Kenya Pharma. J. Kenya. Vol. 22, No 4. ISSN 2411-6386
  18. Demissew Tsigemelak, Najma Dharani 2016 Assessment of the Ecological Distribution, Species Diversity and abundance of Medicinal Plants in Central Kajiado, Kajiado County, Kenya International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environ Sciences IJPAES Volume-6, Issue-3 ISSN-2231-4490
  19. Christopher M.Ndolo, Najma Dharani, Katja K. 2016 Socioeconomic and Biophysical factors affecting tree richness and diversity in Machakos County, Eastern Kenya International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environ Sciences IJPAES Volume-6, Issue-3 ISSN-2231-4490
  20. Demissew Tsigemelak, Najma Dharani, Jenesio I Kinyamario, Samuel Kiboi 2016 The Utilization of Medicinal Plants by the Masaai community in arid lands of Kajiado County, Kenya International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environ Sciences IJPAES Volume-6, Issue-3 ISSN-2231-4490
  21. Ermais, Dharani, Mathews 2012 The indigenous knowledge of the Maasai Ethnoveterinary diagnostic skills Journal of Human Ecology J. Hum. Ecol., 16(1): 43-48 (2012)
  22. Najma Dharani et al., 2010 Distribution of Zn and Cd levels in Soils and Acacia xanthophloea Benth, from Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Bulletin of Environmental Contamination Toxicology Springer New York, USA. Vol, 3: 318 – 323
  23. Najma Dharani et al., 2008 Browsing impact of large herbivores on Acacia xanthophloea Benth in Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. African Journal of Ecology-Blackwell Publishing Ltd-UK. Vol, 47: 184 – 191.
  24. Najma Dharani et al., 2007 The Distribution of Cu and Pb levels in Soils and Acacia xanthophloea Benth, from Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. Bulletin Environmental Contamination Toxicology Springer New York, USA. Vol, 79: 172 – 177
  25. Najma Dharani et al., 2006 Structure and Composition of Acacia xanthophloea woodland in Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. African Journal of Ecology-Blackwell Publishing Ltd-UK. Vol, 44: 523 – 530
  26. Najma Dharani, 2006 The Debarking in Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya. CONSERVATION(Article was published from my PHD WORK) SWARA - East African Wildlife Society-Kenya Vol, 29: 42 - 45
  27. 2012: (1 st Edition): Guide book to Nairobi City Park. Contributed plant photographs and a chapter and proof reading of the book
  28. 2012 (2 nd Edition): Guide book to Nairobi Arboretum . Contributed plant photographs and a chapter and proof reading of the book
  29. Najma Dharani (2002). Life’s Little Secrets. A Guide to a Successful Living. Focus Books Publishers, Kenya. ISBN: 9966-882-66-9. (Motivational book)
  30. 2001 (1 st Edition): Guide book to Nairobi Arboretum . Contributed plant photographs and a chapter and proof reading of the book
  31. May 2017 to October 2022: Principal Investigator /Coordinator of the project . Research on. Fruiting Africa: Food trees and shrubs of Kenya. Funded by World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), IFAD, EU and World Bank.
  32. August to December 2018: Report on Preliminary Botanical Survey including Identification, Suitability and availability of Indigenous/Local Plant Species within and around Kampala for the Aga Khan University Hospital site in Nakawa – Kampala

Books

Dharani N, McMullin S, Stadlmayr B, Kigathi R, Kindt R, Ng’ethe E, Jamnadass R, Kehlenbeck K. (October, 2022). Fruiting Africa: Food trees and shrubs of Kenya. Nairobi: World Agroforestry, Nairobi-Kenya.ISBN: 978–9966–108–51–7.
Najma Dharani and Abiy Yenesew ( August, 2022 ). An Illustrated Guide to MEDICINAL PLANTS OF EAST AFRICA. Second Edition. Nature Struik, Penguin Random House, Cape Town, South Africa (Pty) Ltd. ISBN: 978 1 77584 787 8.
Najma Dharani , McMullin S, Stadlmayr B, Kigathi R, Kindt R, Ng’ethe E, Jamnadass R, Kehlenbeck K. (2022). Food trees of Kenya: Volume 1 – Fruit trees and shrubs of Kenya: delivering food, nutrition, livelihood and landscape benefits. Nairobi: World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi-Kenya.. ISBN: 978–9966–108–51–7. Online version will be available in May 2022.
Najma Dharani and Abiy Yenesew (2021). Medicinal Plants of East Africa- An Illustrated Guide . Draft Second Edition. Submitted to Struik Random House Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa for publishing and printing. Printed version will be available by the end of 2021
Najma Dharani (2019). Field Guide to common Trees and Shrubs of East Africa (Revised- 3 rd Edition). Struik Random House Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN: 978 1 77007 888 8.
Dharani N, Yenesew A, Aynekulu E, Tuei B, Jamnadass R (2015). Ethno veterinary Medicine in East Africa. World Agro forestry Centre, (ICRAF), Nairobi-Kenya. ISBN: 978-92-9059-335-5.
Najma Dharani (2011). Field Guide to common Trees and Shrubs of East Africa (Revised-2 nd Edition). Struik Random House Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN: 978 1 77007 888 8.
Dharani N, Rukunga G, Yenesew A, Mbora A, Mwaura L, Dawson I, Jamnadass R (2010). Common Antimalarial Trees and Shrubs of East Africa –A description of species and a guide to cultivation and conservation through use. World Agro forestry Centre, (ICRAF), Nairobi-Kenya. ISBN: 978 92 9059 238 9.
Najma Dharani and Abiy Yenesew (2010). Medicinal Plants of East Africa- An Illustrated Guide . Published by Najma Dharani in association with Drongo publishing, Nairobi-Kenya. ISBN: 978-9966-05-167-8.
Najma Dharani (2006). Field Guide to Acacias of East Africa. Struik Random House Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN: 9781770071742.
Najma Dharani (2002). Field Guide to common Trees and Shrubs of East Africa (1 st Edition). Struik Random House Publishers, Cape Town, South Africa. ISBN: 978 1 77007 888 8.

Book Chapters

  1. 2012: (1 st Edition): Guide book to Nairobi City Park. Contributed plant photographs and a chapter and proof reading of the book
  2. 2012 (2 nd Edition): Guide book to Nairobi Arboretum . Contributed plant photographs and a chapter and proof reading of the book
  3. Najma Dharani (2002). Life’s Little Secrets. A Guide to a Successful Living. Focus Books Publishers, Kenya. ISBN: 9966-882-66-9. (Motivational book)
  4. 2001 (1 st Edition): Guide book to Nairobi Arboretum . Contributed plant photographs and a chapter and proof reading of the book

Conference Papers

  1. 3rd to 6th June 2024. 1st Joint Internatonal Scientific Conference on “ Utilization of Biological resources for sustainable development, nature conservation, and climate resilence”. Organized by National Museums of Kenya (NMK).
  2. 29th May 2024. One day sympozium on “Convergence of Entomology, Agroecology and Genomics for the Environmental Sustainability”. Kenyatta University, Dept. of Plant Sciences in collaboration with National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB-UK).
  3. 24th Nov. 2023. Virtual-12th Conference of SEB – Kenya and 5th International Conference of NAPRECA – Kenya. https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYld6ppzooEtLJf08EXmXc_o2xWnZDzorh
  4. 9th Nov. 2022. Online semiar on “Faith-Based Approaches for Landscape Restoration in Kenya. Organized by Regreening Africa-EU-CIFOR-ICRAF.
  5. 26 th October 2022. Accelerating Restoration Action Through Youth and Women. Virtual seminar. Organized by Regreening Africa ( EU - CIFOR-ICRAF).
  6. 29 th June 2022. Online seminar on “Beyond Blue Carbon-Perspectives from the Geosciences”. Organized by Department of Geosciences, Bremen University -Germany. https://unibremen.zoom.us/j/97667626188?pwd=U093anJYZzlNM3Nyc2hrbnZVT09DZz09
  7. 9th March 2022. Workshop on zoom: Restoration of degraded lands in Sub-Saharan Ecosystems. Organized by Regreening Africa-EU-CIFOR-ICRAF.
  8. 4 th Nov. 2021. Financing Forest Action: Investing in Forests to Address the Climate Crisis”. UN-REDD Programme-COP 26. Online seminar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBqto3102Oo&ab_channel=UN-REDDProgramme .
  9. 22 nd October 2021. Stakeholders’ Consultation Workshop on “Diagnostic Study on the Application of Herbal and Traditional Medicine in the Prevention and Therapy of COVID and other Diseases in the East African Community. Pharm-Bio Technology and Traditional Medicine Centre, Mbarara University of Science and Technology. Sarova Stanely Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.
  10. 9th to 16th July 2021. Kenya National Landscape Restoration Scaling Virtual Conference. Catalyzing action for landscape restoration. Organized by Regreening Africa (ICRAF).
  11. 2nd to 3rd June 2021. Restoring Africa’s Drylands. Accelerating action on the ground. Virtual Conference organized by Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Africa.
  12. 27th May 2021. Private sector engagement in Kenya’s landscape restoration efforts. Webinar seminar. Organized by Regreening Africa (ICRAF-Nairobi).
  13. 25th March 2021. The Roots of the FMNR Movement in Kenya webinar seminar. Organized by Regreening Africa (ICRAF-Nairobi). 11th to 12th Feb. 2021. Conservation & Tourism for Improved Livelihoods. Virtual conference organised by Wildlife Clubs of Kenya in collaboration with IUCN Commission on Education and Communication.
  14. 28th Jan 2021 (2.00 -5.00pm). Face to face-Training on Turn-it-in, Creating Orchid and Google Scholar accounts. Organized by School of pure and Applied Sciences (SPAS) in collaboration with the Chief University Librarian. Kenyatta University.
  15. 27th Jan 2021. Virtual Learning Experience: Youth Power in Restoration. Youth empowerment for engagement in restoration. Conference organized by Regreening Africa, CIFOR, World Agroforestry Centre.
  16. 17th Sept. 2020. The Article Publishing Process: An Elsevier Workshop on Zoom. ELSEVIER. 8th Sept. 2020. Training on Blended Learning Online Facilitation. Organized zoom work shop by Digital School of Kenyatta University. https://zoom.us/j/96850258914?pwd=LzdOYWNqZWJZT1Jnb29PZ1NGalhaQT09
  17. 3 rd to 17 th July 2020 (on zoom): Training of Trainers: How to use Moodle/Camtasia for creating and animating an online training course for Kenyatta University –Plant Sciences Department. https://training.coleacp.org/course/view.php?id=328
  18. 10 th June, 2020 (on zoom). Training on On-line module writing Zoom meeting by Dr. Rhoda Gitonga, Digital School-Kenyatyta University. Video slides attached
  19. 27 th Febuary 2020: Launch of the indigenous vegetables (Multi-stakeholders partnership) at Agriculture Traning Centre, Soilo- Nakuru.
  20. 29 th October 2019: Programme for Internationalization of Research and Resource Mobilization for Impact. Kenyatta University- BSSC, Room 14
  21. 30 th to 31 st October 2019: Annual Carnivore Conference. Kenya Wildlife Services Headquarters, Nairobi-Kenya