Title/Qualifications: Ph.D
Department/Unit/Section: Applied Economics
Contact Address: P.O Box 43844,00100, Nairobi- Kenya
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Position: Senior Lecturer

View Full CVpdf

Dr. Jacob Omolo is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Applied Economics at Kenyatta University (Kenya), and Director, Capacity Development and Consultancy Services at the University. He holds a PhD Degree in Labour Economics from Kenyatta University (Kenya); Master of Arts in Economic Policy Management from Makerere University (Uganda); Master of Arts in Economics from Kenyatta University (Kenya); and Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Kenyatta University (Kenya). Dr. Omolo is a well- qualified, highly competent and diversified public sector consultant with in-depth knowledge, work and research experience in labour market assessment, workforce development, skills development and reskilling of workforce, youth employment, and labour market dynamics. He has published widely in refereed journals.

Area of Specialization:

-Labour Economics

-Policy Analysis, Design and Evaluation

-Monitoring and Evaluation

Research Interests:

-Labour and Employment Dynamics

-Wage Determination -Productivity Managemen

Membership in Professional Societies 

  1. Productivity Centre of Kenya
  2. International Joint Technical Scientific Committee

Education

PhD (Economics), Specialization (Labour Economics), Kenyatta University, 2010

MA (Economic Policy Management), Makerere University (Uganda), 2003

MA (Economics), Kenyatta University, 1999

BA (Economics), Kenyatta University, 1994

Research focus

Areas of research focus include wage policies and wage determination; ripple effects of minimum wages; productivity management; youth employment challenge; labour and employment inequalities in the context of regional integration; and poverty-targeted employment creation strategies

Recent Projects and consultancies 

  • 2018 Impact Evaluation of Access to Labor Rights and Social Protection for Kenyan Domestic Workers and Youth Program

  • 2018 Impact Evaluation of Promoting Participation, Bargaining, and Formalization for Urban Informal Workers in Tanzania and Zimbabwe

  • 2018 Review of Somalia Labour Code
  • 2017 Development of the Sessional Paper on the Ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention No. 189 on Decent Work for Domestic Workers in Kenya
  • 2018 Review of Somalia Labour Code
  • 2017 Concept Note on Implementation of Kenya National Internship Programme
  • 2017 In-depth Policy Analysis Paper on Management of Labour Disputes in Kenya
  • 2017 Development of Wages and Remuneration Policy for Kenya
  • 2017 Labour and Employment Sector Analysis, and Technical Backstopping to the Somaliland National Development Plan (2017-2021) Process
  • 2016 Strengthening the Capacity of Governments in Africa (Development of Youth Policy Toolbox)
  • 2016 Analysis of the Future of Work in Kenya
  • 2016 Somalia Decent Work Country Programme (2017-2019)
  • 2016 Country Programme Review [Kenya Decent Work Country Programme, 2013-2016]
  • 2016 Country Analysis (Employment Challenges and Labour Administration in Somalia), and Technical Backstopping to the Somalia National Development Plan (2017-2019) Process

Conference Presentations 

  1. “Trade Union Revitalization in Kenya: Acquisition and Utilization of Power Resources”, XIII Global Labour University Conference, University of Campinas, Campinas/SP-Brazil, 7th -9th August 2018
  2. “Trade Unions in Transformation-Acquiring and Utilizing Power Resources: The Case of Kenya National Private Security Workers’ Union”, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Witwatersrand University, Johannesburg, 23rd to 25th October 2017
  3. “Trade Unions in Transformation-Acquiring and Applying Power Resources: The Case of Kenya National Private Security Workers’ Union”, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Berlin, 26th to 27th April 2017
  4. “Strengthening the capacity of Governments in Africa to respond to the needs of youth in formulating inclusive and sustainable development policies”, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and Government of Republic of Mozambique, Hotel Cardoso, Maputo, 28th – 29th March 2017
  5. “Forward for a New Africa: Mobilize, Organize, Innovate”, UNI Africa, King Fahd Hotel, Dakar, 20th to 25th March 2017. 
  6. “Training, Cash or Microfranchising: What Works in Improving Youth Employment Outcomes” Policy Forum, Innovations for Poverty Action and Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat, Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi, 2nd February 2016
  7. “Better Evidence, Better Policies, Better Lives” Policy Forum, African Health Population Research Centre, Nairobi, 10th July 2015
  8. “Energy Technologies for Food Utilization: Challenges and Practical Tools Available”, 15th – 16th May 2015, Westhouse Hotel, Nairobi
  9. “Re-thinking Industrial Relations for Enhanced Organizational Performance in Kenya”, a paper presented at the 2014 International Annual Conference on Sustainable Research and Innovation held on 7th to 9th May 2014, at African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
  10. “Urbanizing Nairobi: How to move beyond exclusion-Reflections on proposed Slums Upgrading and Prevention Policy”, 8th March 2014, Tangaza University College, Nairobi
  11. “Economic geography and productive employment in Sub-Saharan Africa”, a paper presented at the East, Central and Southern Africa Employers’ Organizations Conference held on 25th to 26th February 2014 at Sarova Whitesands Hotel, Mombasa-Kenya
  12. 11th International Dialogue on Population and Sustainable Development: Youth and Employment-Realizing the demographic dividend, Berlin (Germany), 22nd to 23rd August 2013

Recent publications 

  • Kosimbei, G.K., Omolo, O.J., Rono, G.J., Musyoka, P.K and Onono, P.A. (2023). “Coping Mechanisms to Income Loss by Girls and Women During COVID-19: Evidence from Selected Informal Settlements in Kenya”, Advances in Social Sciences Research Journal, Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 447-464

  • Thuku, G.K., Omolo, J. and Muniu, J. (2019). “Drivers of Employment Elasticities in Kenya”, Journal of Economics and Sustainable Development, Vol. 10, No. 16, pp. 25-43

  • Mdoe, I.J., Omolo, J., and Wawire, N.H. (2019). “Bank competitive landscape and competition in the banking sector in Kenya”, African Review of Economics and Finance, Vol. 11 Issue 1, pp
    220-251

  • Thuku, G.K., Omolo, J. and Muniu, J. (2019). “Employment Intensity of Output Growth in Kenya”, IOSR Journal of Economics and Finance, Vol. 10, Issue 3, Ser. IV, pp. 09-21Omolo, J. (2018). Ripple Effects of Minimum Wages and Response of Labour Market in Kenya, Beau Bassin 71504: LAP Lambert Academic Publishing, ISBN: 978-613-9-89939-5

  • Njiraini, P., Omolo, J., and Gachanja, P. (2018). “Innovation and Micro and Small Enterprises  Growth Performance: Evidence from Kenya”, IOSR Journal of Business and Management (IOSR-JBM), Volume 20, Issue No. 10, Ver. I (October 2018), pp 09-16

  • Musyoka, P.K., Omolo, J., Korir, J., and Nzai, C. (2018). “An Econometric Analysis of Effect of Poverty on Health Status in Kenya”, Public Health Research, Volume 8, Issue 3 (August), pp 68-79

  • Musyoka, P.K., Korir, J., Omolo, J., and Nzai, C. (2018). “An Econometric Analysis of the Effect  of Poverty on Healthcare Utilization in Kenya”, European Scientific Journal, Volume 14, Issue No. 22 (August), pp 101-121

  • Omolo, J. (2018). “Trade Union Revitalization in Kenya: Acquisition and Utilization of Power Resources”, African Journal of Economic Review, Volume VI, Issue II (July), pp 196-211

  • Njiraini, P., Omolo, J., and Gachanja, P. (2018). “Drivers of Technological Innovations: Evidence from Kenya’s Micro and Small Enterprises”, International Journal of Current Research, Volume 10, Issue No. 05, pp 69942-69946

  • Mdoe, I.J., Omolo, O.J., and Wawire, N.H. (2018). “Bank Competition in Kenya”, Journal of Industry, Competition and Trade, Springer, ISSN 1566-1679 DOI 10.1007/s 10842-018-0279-2, pp 1-20

  • Githuku, S., Omolo, J., and Mwabu, G. (2018). “Income Convergence in the East African Community”, African Journal of Economic Review, Volume VI, Issue I (January), pp 87-102

  • Omolo, J., and Odhong, E. (2017). Trade Unions in Transformation-Developing and  Utilizing Power Resources: The Case of Kenya National Private Security Workers’ Union, Berlin: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, Global Policy and Development

  • Odhong A. E., and Omolo, J. (2015). “Effect of Human Capital Investment on Organizational Performance of Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya”, Global Journal of Human Resource Management, Vol 3, No. 6 (November), 1-29
  • Odhong A. E., and Omolo, J. (2014). “An Analysis of the Factors Affecting Employee Relations in the Flower Industry in Kenya, a Case of Waridi Ltd, Athi River”, International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol 5, No. 11(1), 147-160
  • Odhong A. E., Were S., and Omolo, J. (2014). “Effect of Human Capital Management Drivers on Organizational Performance in Kenya. A case of Investment and Mortgages Bank Ltd”, European Journal of Business Management, 2(1), 341-356
  • Odhong, E., Were S., and Omolo, J. (2014). “Re-thinking Industrial Relations for Enhanced Organizational Performance in Kenya”, in proceedings of 2014 International Annual Conference on Sustainable Research and Innovation, Wednesday 7th to Friday 9th May 2014, at African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Franz, J and Omolo, J. (2014). Youth Employment Initiatives in Kenya, A Report of Review Commissioned by the World Bank and Kenya Vision 2030, Nairobi: World Bank and Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat
  • Eduardo, Z., Ndirangu, L., Leigh, F. and Omolo, J. (2013). The Youth Employment Challenge: Insertion of Kenya’s Youth into formal and informal jobs in United Nations Development Programme, Social Protection, Growth and Employment: Evidence from India, Kenya, Malawi, Mexico and Tajakistan,  New York: United Nations Development Programme
  • Eduardo, Z., Ndirangu, L., Leigh, F. , Omolo, J and Wainaina, S. (2013). Kenya’s Youth Employment Challenge, Discussion Paper (January), New York: United Nations Development Programme
  • Makambi, S.A, Wawire, N.H.W., and Omolo, O.J. (2013). “Nature and Dynamics of Adjustment of Commercial Banks’ Retail Rates to Monetary Policy Changes in Kenya”, International Journal of Business and Social Science, Vol. 4 No. 5 (May), pp 49-75
  • Omolo, J. (2013). “Employment Challenges in Kenya”, African Journal of Economic Review, Vol. 1 No. 1 (January), pp 18-32
  • Omolo, O.J. (2012). “Regional Disparities in Employment and Human Development in Kenya”, e-Canadian Journal of Business and Economics, Vol. 1, Issue 1 pp 1-17
  • Omolo, O.J. (2012). “Impact of Civil Service Reforms on Labour Inspectorate in Kenya”, International Review of Business and Social Sciences, Vol. 1 No. 8 (July) pp 84-101
  • Omolo, O.J. (2012). “Youth Employment in Kenya: Analysis of Labour Market and Policy Interventions”, FES Kenya Occasional Paper, No. 1 (October), Nairobi: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung
  • Omolo, O.J. (2011). “Labour and Employment Inequalities in the Context of the East African Regional Integration Process” in Society for International Development, East African Integration: Dynamics of Equity in Trade, Education, Media and Labour, Nairobi: Ascent Limited
  • Omolo, O.J. (2010): “The Dynamics and Trends of Employment in Kenya”, IEA Research Paper Series, No. 1/2010, Nairobi: Institute of Economic Affairs.
  • Ngéthe, N. and Omolo, O.J. (2010). “Trade Policy-Making in a Domestic Setting: The Role of Stakeholders in Regional and Multilateral Negotiations” in Ann Capling and Patrick Low (Eds), Governments, Non-State Actors and Trade Policy Making: Negotiating Preferentially or Multilaterally? United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press