Mr. Ondiba a KMFRI Research Officer in Aquaculture Division has a focus in Fish nutrition; fish feed technology and water quality dynamics in different aquaculture systems. Earlier, Mr. Ondiba worked in the Lake Baringo ecosystem and the surrounding water bodies with special interest in water quality and the ecology of aquatic plants. While serving at Lake Baringo, Robert got an opportunity to work as a co-invesigator in a GEF funded cage culture project. While undertaking MSc thesis project, Mr. Ondiba was a Principal investigator in a NACOSTI funded project on use of Prosopis juliflora seeds as fish feed ingredient for replacement of cotton seed in Nile tilapia diet. Further, Mr. Ondiba has been involved in a number of on-station and on-farm aquaculture projects. For instance, he worked in the position of a co-investigator in a DSM collaborative project focusing on impacts of enriching Nile tilapia diets with a DSM additive and binder on performance.  Ondiba through GoK funded projects has been a principal investigator in the following 4 projects: Assessing the potential of Prosopis juliflora seed meal (PSM) in replacement of fishmeal in Nile tilapia and Clarias gariepinus diets; Formulation of ornamental fish diets using locally available ingredients to enhance quality; Improving Nile tilapia diets by using avocado seeds as an additive and Survey on fish assemblages and other biota around cages in Lake Victoria. Currently, Mr. Ondiba is a  Co-PI  in KCSAP collaborative applied research grant on domestication and Breeding of Indigenous Tilapiine Species for Food and Nutrition Security and KCSAP adaptive research on fish seed research systems. Ondiba is a resource person in fish feed formulation and chemical analysis of fish feed ingredients and diets. The researcher has been engaged in teaching, supervision and mentorship of diploma and undergraduate students; proposal development and authorship of technical reports and scientific papers in the fields of aquaculture, ecology and environment.

Google Scholar link: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&view_op=list_works&gmla=AJsN-F4mMUuEBKI3RUcaDCwsxNV7k3BIgnRTUTpCV4jd9C13ZeaJ5n7IR8YunEegmF6xyPFwsXss9c8DWMnh1Ms2s2fhWYVD68xDng4CZh4XfIA3RmgE&user=9vfQ_ZoAAAAJ

 Springer <SpringerAlerts@springeronline.com>

PUBLICATIONS:

• Kembenya, E. M., & Ondiba, R. N. (2021). Growth performance of male monosex and mixed sex Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus L.) reared in cages, Lake Victoria, Kenya. International Aquatic Research, 13(3), 227.
• Abwao, J., Musa, S., Ondiba, R. and Ogari, Z., 2021. Socioeconomic dynamics and characterization of land-based aquaculture in Western Kenya. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 24(1), pp.64-72.
• Orina, P., Ogello, E., Kembenya, E., Muthoni, C., Musa, S., Ombwa, V., Mwainge, V., Abwao, J., Ondiba, R., Kengere, J. and Karoza, S., 2021. The state of cage culture in Lake Victoria: A focus on sustainability, rural economic empowerment, and food security. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 24(1), pp.56-63.
• Ondiba, R., Kembenya, E., Obiero, K., Gichana, Z., Nyakeya, K. and Onduma, M., 2020, January. Effect of replacing fish meal with Prosopis juliflora seed meal on growth performance of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings. In 13TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE.
• Kembenya, E.M., Ondiba, R.N. and Angima, M.B., 2020, January. Growth Performance of Mixed sex and Monosex male Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Reared in Cages, Lake Victoria, Kenya. In 13th International Conference.
• Nyakeya, K., Chemoiwa, E., Nyamora, J.M., Ogombe, C.O., Gichana, Z.M., Mbaru, E.K., Masese, F.O., Aura, C.M., Nyamweya, C., Njiru, J. and Ondiba, R., 2020. Endemic Lake Baringo Oreochromis niloticus fishery on verge of collapse: Review of causes and strategies directed to its recovery, conservation and management for sustainable exploitation. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research & Management, 25(4), pp.423-438.
• Gichana, Z., Liti, D., Wakibia, J., Ogello, E., Drexler, S., Meulenbroek, P., Ondiba R, Zollitsch W. & Waidbacher, H. (2019). Efficiency of pumpkin (Cucurbita pepo), sweet wormwood (Artemisia annua) and amaranth (Amaranthus dubius) in removing nutrients from a smallscale recirculating aquaponic system. Aquaculture International, 1-20.
• Ondiba, R., Omondi, R., Nyakeya, K., Abwao, J., Musa, S. and Oyoo-Okoth E., 2018. Environmental constraints on macrophyte distribution and diversity in a tropical endorheic freshwater lake (Lake Baringo, Kenya).  International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 6(3), pp. 251-259.
• Nyakeya, K., Raburu, P., Masese, F., Tsuma, J., Nyamora, J., Magondu, E., Kemunto, D., Ondiba, R. and Jepkosgei, M., 2018. Sensitivity of the Native Chironomus Species in Monitoring of Riverine Ecosystems in the Catchments of Lake Victoria Drainage Basin, Kenya. Africa Environmental Review Journal, 2(2), pp.126-133.
•  Abwao, J., Safina, M., Ondiba, R., Ogello, E., & Obiero, K., 2017. Effect of replacing marine protein with hydrolyzed feather meal on growth, apparent digestibility and body composition of juvenile tilapias; Oreochromis mossambicus (peters, 1852). International Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Studies, 5(6), pp. 242-250
• Nyakeya, K., Odipo, O., Raburu, P.O., Masese, F.O., Nyamora, J.M., Khasenzi, J., Magondu, E.W., Ondiba, R.N., Gichana, Z.M. and Jepkosgei, M., 2016, November. LIFE CYCLE RESPONSES OF THE MIDGE OF CHIRONOMUS SPECIES (DIPTERA: CHIRONOMIDAE) TO SUGARCANE AND PAPER PULP EFFLUENTS EXPOSURE. In Scientific Conference Proceedings.

• Munguti, J.M., Obiero K., Kyule D, Orina, P S, Githukia C.M, Opiyo M.A, Fonda J.A, Elijah E, Ondiba R., Abwao J, Musa S, and Njiru J. (2019) Training of Trainers (ToT) manual for aquaculture value chain, Master Trainers’ Manual, Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) Secretariat, KALRO Headquarters.