1.Family Name: Obala

 

2. First Names: Luke Mitai
3. Nationality: Kenyan
4. Civil Status: Married
5. Education

 

Doctor of Philosophy, Development Planning, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa,

 

Master of Science in Development Planning and Management, Joint Degree of University of Dortmund, Germany and University of Science and Technology, Ghana, 1994.

 

Post Graduate Diploma in Regional Planning and Management, University of Dortmund, Germany; 1993.

Advanced Certificate in Urban Land Management, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden; 1997.

Bachelor of Arts Degree in Land Economics, Upper Second Class Honours, University of Nairobi, 1990

Certificate in Conflict Management and Resolution offered jointly – University of Dortmund and University of Dar es Salaam, 2005

7. Profession: Development Planner

8. Professional Membership

Member Spring International Association of Development Planners.

Associate Member Institution of Surveyors of Kenya.

Member of African Real Estate Society

Member Kenya Institute of Management

Graduate Member Kenya Institute of Planners

 

8. Languages: Fluent English, Kiswahili and Dholuo both spoken and written.
9. Country Experiences: Ghana, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan (North and South), Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Namibia, Swaziland, South Africa, Germany, Sweden, France, and United Kingdom.
10. Employment History:

1998 to date

Lecturer, Department of Real Estate and Construction Management, School of the Built Environment, University of Nairobi; Kenya. The job entails teaching, research and supervision of projects, thesis and development of curriculum in consultation with the industry.

1994 – 1998

Assistant Lecturer, Department of Land Development, University of Nairobi. Kenya. The job entails teaching, research and supervision of students research work.

1991-1994

Land Officer, Ministry of Lands and Settlement, Kenya Government. The Job entailed attendance of District development committee meetings, advising the Commissioner of Lands on land alienation, Lease extension, registration, settling of disputes, rent collections and advising local authorities on land management matters.

11. Professional Activities and Consultancies:

2011: Team member for Preparation of an Integrated Development Plan for Maralal Town. The work involves undertaking baseline surveys, resource studies, land use surveys, informal settlement surveys, environmental studies, identification of development alternatives, and preparation of development plans (Ongoing)

Team Leader Preparation of Value Addition for the Rice Production in Bunyala Irrigation Scheme in Busia. The project has been commissioned by National Irrigation Board and Magombe Multipurpose Cooperative (Ongoing).

Team Leader on the preparation of a proposal for a Science and Innovation Hub in Nairobi in liaison with Kenya Polytechnic University College (Ongoing)

Planning and Mapping of 200 acres of land in Kilifi Town to incorporate space for about 200 squatters and the rest retained by the owners of the land (Ongoing).

Mapping Thin Tank Institutions and experts in Geo-politics in Kenya. The assignment involved review of records and brainstorming sessions with key informants. It also involved the development of appropriate checklist for use in collecting the relevant information. The work was commissioned by Al Jazeera Studies Centre in Qatar

Midterm review of Save the Children programmes in North Sudan, Kenya, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Burundi respectively. The assignment involved a review of documents, interviews and facilitation of an inception workshop. In addition, it involves preparation of draft and final reports.

2010: Team Leader for on Transaction Advisory assignment for Tanathi Water Services Board. The project involved undertaking baseline surveys (socio-economic, institutional analysis, liaising with the Engineers for preparation of preliminary designs for the project, organizing and facilitating a stakeholder’s conference (potential investors, civil society and Government representatives).

Review and preparation of a Business and Strategic Plans for National Irrigation Board in Kenya. This assignment involved development of study instruments, desk review of reports and facilitation of data collection workshops as well as final workshops.

2009: Preparation of Resettlement Plan for Kimira Oluch Small Holder Farm Improvement Project. The project will adversely affect about 60 households who will be compensated and resettled. The work was commissioned by Ministry of Regional Development.

Preparation of Resettlement Plan for Sondu-Kisii-Migori Power line. The project will adversely affect more than 200 households who will be compensated and resettled. The work was commissioned by Ministry of Regional Development.

2008: Review and development of Strategic Plan for Kenya Wildlife Services. The assignment involved the development of tools for information gathering, facilitation of workshops, training of the stakeholders on the “Balance Score Card” approach to the development of a strategic plan and training of Champions in Strategic Planning.

Customer Satisfaction Survey for Chepareria Town Council, Pokot District, and Rift Valley province, Kenya. The exercise involved development of field instruments, review of council documents, and facilitation of stakeholder workshops and presentation of both draft and final reports.

Baseline Survey for Mtito Andei Area Development Programme; the exercise involved a review of the achievements, objectives and goals. The exercise further involved field data collection using various methods among them; Household Surveys, Focus Group Discussions, Key informant interviews and conducting of stakeholder workshops for discussions of the draft report.

2006/7: Preparation of Strategic Plan for Chepareria Town Council, West Pokot District.

Preparation of an advisory plan and land documentation processes for Molo and Rumuruti Town Councils

Mid Term Evaluation of Nginyang Area Development Programme, the exercise involved a review of the achievements, objectives and goals. The exercise further involved field data collection using various methods among them; Household Surveys, Focus Group Discussions, Key informant interviews and conducting of stakeholder workshops for discussions of the Draft Report

Final Evaluation of Education Partnership between the North Eastern Province’s Directorate of Education and Oxfam GB Kenya. The assignment involved a review of the partnerships; impacts on policy advocacy, achievements in enrolment in schools, strengths and weaknesses, and overall performance. It also involved identification of issues that should be the focus of a new partnership.

An Exploratory study of HIV/AIDS policies in the workplace, identifying key lessons, best practices, and identification of appropriate implementation strategies – A review and summary of the report dissemination to Oxfam GB Kenya partners.

2005/6: Preparation of Valuation Rolls for Rumuruti and Molo Townships. This involved identification of the boundaries of the two councils, establishing the rate able parcels through a review of district land registries and compiling the registers with the rate able values.

National Manager, Kenya Afro Barometer II – The assignment involved recruitment, training and supervision of field assistants and the data entry team. In addition it involved presentation of results to different audiences – media, Government representatives and the donor community in Kenya.

Participatory Learning and Action for Kainuk ADP, World Vision Kenya. The assignment involved; training of trainers, facilitation of community workshops and preparation of workshop report.

2003/4: Housing Market Survey for Machakos, Meru and Garissa Municipalities. National Housing Corporation commissioned the work.

OVC Baseline Survey for Tseikuru – Mwingi Program area. The assignment involved assessment of the situation of the orphaned children and their caregivers. It also required the identification of appropriate strategies for handling the same

Facilitated the Preparation of the Strategic Plan for Investment Promotions Authority with Osano and Associates

Final Evaluation and Market Survey for Meltai Credit Scheme, in Tot Division of Marakwet District. Kadet Kenya Ltd a company wholly owned by World Vision Kenya commissioned the assignment.

2002: CBO Capacity Building and Strengthening for Community Groups in Plan Eastern Program Area. The assignment involved identification of existing and active community groups, selecting a limited number for detailed investigation to identify training needs, facilitate identification and selection of community own resource persons to trained. It also involved preparation of training manuals and training of the community own resource persons, in addition to facilitating the establishment of CBOs in Mbeti Program Unit among others. The assignment was commissioned by Plan Kenya, Eastern Program Area.

Assessment of Land tenure Situation in Rachuonyo and Homa Bay Districts in KOSHIDS Study and participatory block Planning. The assignment was undertaken through Terra Systems and Ces Consulting Engineers of Germany and Cas Consultants of Kenya.  The report was for Lake Basin Development Authority and African Development Bank (Land Tenure Expert)

Training Needs Assessment and Training of Land Officers, Planners, Councillors and County Clerks in North Eastern Province;

2000/1: Participatory Rural Appraisal exercises in Kilifi District, Coast Province: The exercise involved facilitation of PRA Training on its Philosophy and Practice and undertaking PRA exercises in selected villages in Kilifi District and developing Community Action Plans together with project proposals for funding.

Mid-Term Evaluation of the Bomb Blast Project. The project involved rehabilitation of survivors and had several components namely; Medical, Credit Scheme and Counselling among others. Report for ADRA Kenya and USAID.

Preparation of Community Action Plans for Kawangware and Riruta in Nairobi. The work involved facilitating workshops for both adults and children in seven sites to assist them identify their potentials, constrains and visions Report for Plan International

1998/99: PRA Training, project identification and planning with communities in Lamu District: The assignment involved training of members of the community Mobilization and Development Unit and facilitating PRA exercises in ten sub locations of Lame District. It also involved facilitating community members jointly with their committees develop Project Proposals for funding; report for International Fund for Agricultural Development and Kenya Government.

 

1996/97: Inspection and Valuation of Scott Theological College Properties.

Inspection and Rental Assessment of University of Nairobi Halls of Residence for Student welfare Authority.

Inspection and Valuation of furniture, equipment, buildings and tea farm for book and insurance purposes. Report for Trinity Fellowship.

Inspection and Valuation of office furniture and equipment for Insurance and book purposes for Catholic Episcopal Conference Secretariat.

1995: Inspection and Valuation of fixed moveable assets for Insurance and book purposes for Kapsowar A.I.C. Hospital, Eldoret, Kenya.

Inspection and Valuation of office furniture and equipment for Insurance and book purposes for Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (K.I.R.D.I.)

1990 to date: Real Estate Appraisal for various purposes.

12. Selected Publications

Obala L.M ( 1995) Valuation of Assets Owned by Non Profit Organisations in Kenya:The Problems. In the Proceedings of the Workshop on Valuation Practice in East Africa.University College of Lands and Architecture, Daresalaam.

Obala L.M. (1997) The Politics of Accessibility to Land in Kenya: The case of Nairobi in Proceedings of Advanced Course on Urban Land Management, Centre of Environmental Studies, Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm Sweden.

Olima W.H.A and Obala L.M. (1998) The Effect Land Tenure on Urban Development: The case of Kisumu and Eldoret Towns in Kenya in Habitat International.

Obala L.M.and Mukindia M.W. (2002) Urban Land Management in Kenya. In Olima; W.H.A.and Kreibich; V. (Eds) Land Management in Africa Spring Research Series, Dortmund, Germany

Obala; L.M. and Kinyungu; N (2003) Current Land Changes in Customary / Traditional Delivery Systems in African Cities; A Case Study of the City of Nairobi; A research Report Supported by the Urban Research Programme for Development (PRUD-ISTED), France and The Department for International Development (DFID), U.K