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Christopher Kipchumba Chepken

Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure

Prof.Christopher Kipchumba Chepken

Welcome to the Open University of Kenya, a University built for the future of higher education.

Official statement

Professional biography

Prof. Christopher Kipchumba Chepken is the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure, at the Open University of Kenya and an Associate Professor of Computer Science at the University of Nairobi, Department of Computing and Informatics. He holds a PhD in Computer Science from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and an MSc in Applied Computer Science and a BSc in Computer Science from the University of Nairobi. With over 20 years of experience in teaching, research and software engineering, his expert areas include Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering and Cyber Security.

As the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure, he provides strategic leadership in ICT systems, infrastructure development and institutional operations, overseeing planning, human resources, compliance, finance and performance contracting. He also leads policy implementation and institutional reporting. He served as the team leader for curriculum development and content digitisation across computing programmes at the Open University of Kenya, and was appointed to a working group of professionals in information technology, public communications, media, public relations, law and ICT supporting the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy.

Prof. Chepken's academic work spans research projects, curriculum development and review, and the management of postgraduate studies. He headed postgraduate studies in his department at the University of Nairobi for over a decade and has supervised and mentored numerous Master's and PhD students to completion. Alongside his academic career, he has over 20 years of experience as a practising software engineer and has developed several software systems.

He has excelled in ICT4D research and consultancy, addressing urban commuting, telecommuting, education, health, agriculture and business process outsourcing across East and Southern Africa. He has published numerous journal articles, conference papers and book chapters, and serves as a reviewer for journals and conferences. He was general co-chair of the AfriCHI conference in 2016 and a member of its organising committee in 2018, 2022 and 2023.

Career

  • Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure, Open University of Kenya (April 2025 to date)
  • Ag. Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Planning and Infrastructure, Open University of Kenya (December 2023 to April 2025)
  • Associate Professor of Computer Science, University of Nairobi (May 2023 to date)
  • Senior Lecturer, University of Nairobi (February 2018 to April 2023)
  • Lecturer, University of Nairobi (2009 to January 2018)
  • Tutorial Fellow, University of Nairobi (March 2004 to 2009)
  • Associate Software Developer, Fortune Technologies (2003 to 2004)
  • Volunteer Assistant Computer System Administrator, University of Nairobi (2002 to 2003)
  • IT Training Consultant, InfoTech Training Centre (June 2002 to December 2002)

Research Grants and Projects

  • Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education grant (ERASMUS-EDU-2024-CBHE-STRAND-1) of EUR 349,000 for the capacity-building project PRomoting Opportunities and Strengthening Partnerships for Enhanced InteRnationalisation (PROSPER). Prof. Chepken serves as the Principal Investigator for the project, whose partners include the Open University of Kenya, the University of Eldoret and Sorbonne University (2024 to 2027).
  • Senior researcher in the Erasmus+ Smart City Higher Education Advancement Program in East Africa (ERASMUS-EDU-2025-CBHE-STRAND-2), a project of nine universities in which the Open University of Kenya is the African lead of Work Package 2, focusing on urban mobility courses and the transition pathway for smart cities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Team lead and Principal Investigator for the USAID Notice of Funding Opportunity No. 72061524RFA00007, which resulted in the Open University of Kenya securing a fixed amount award of USD 5 million over five years.
  • Project implementation committee member representing the Open University of Kenya in the World Bank-funded Kenya Digital Education Acceleration Programme (KDEAP).
  • Principal Investigator for the Open University of Kenya's terms of reference for consultancy services and contracting works under KDEAP, with an OUK budget allocation of USD 5 million.
  • Open University of Kenya Principal Investigator for the World Bank-funded Strengthening Kenyan Innovation Eco-System (SKIES) project, worth over KES 10 million. The Open University of Kenya was one of seven Kenyan universities delivering a four-month short course programme in Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Life Skills and Software Engineering.
  • ICT component team lead in the Global Center on Adaptation and University of Nairobi (GCA-UoN) research project under the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP). The total project cost is EUR 1.2 million (February 2023 onwards).
  • Researcher in the Kenya Climate Smart Agriculture Project (KCSAP) Digital Dairy Project (2020 to 2023), with funding of KES 4.6 million. His role was to clean and model field data on forage improvement using Big Data techniques to quantify the impact of improved technologies on sustainability, resilience and greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Trainer for the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) Data Centre Management and Support project (May 2020 to September 2021), worth KES 12.996 million.
  • Trainer and student manager for Big Data Training for KALRO, the Kenya Meteorological Department and the Ministry of Agriculture, worth KES 8.7 million. The training ran from June to November 2020 and trained 40 staff in Big Data Analytics across five modules; he was also among the proposal writers.
  • Co-Principal Investigator for the Responsible Computer Science Challenge Kenya by the Mozilla Foundation (2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2026), worth KES 5 million.
  • Principal Investigator for an African Development Bank proposal supporting the digitalisation of programmes and enhancing inclusivity through ICT devices, assistive technology and partnerships, awarded KES 199 million.
  • Content developer, trainer and student manager for mobile application development under the JICA-funded Youth Employment Programme for Somalia (YEPS) (August to December 2022).
  • Mentor and jurist for a five-day Data Science Workshop under the Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis project (March 2022), worth KES 660,000.
  • Co-Principal Investigator in a GIS training project run by the University of Nairobi and the University of Washington.
  • Co-Principal Investigator for a Mobile Phone-Based Personal Health Record System for Resource Constrained Environments, a Uganda Christian University project funded by Grand Challenges Canada (2013).
  • Researcher on cybercrime and gender-based violence with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the African Development Bank.
  • Researcher on the development of a business process outsourcing industry in Kenya and its critical success factors, funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Duties and Responsibilities as Deputy Vice-Chancellor

  • Coordinating the University's administration, finance, planning and infrastructure functions.
  • Managing personnel matters and staff conduct.
  • Advancing the University through marketing, collaborations and linkages, and research.
  • Advising University Management on compliance, and ensuring compliance with statutory and legal requirements.
  • Ensuring accountability to the Vice-Chancellor and maintaining sound financial controls.
  • Guiding strategic planning in education development and collaborating with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Affairs) to enhance learning, teaching, research and development.
  • Preparing and implementing the University's budget estimates and operational budget.

Key Achievements at the Open University of Kenya

  • Led the development of the Open University of Kenya Strategic Plan and other key governance instruments, including the HR manual, the University statutes and various policies.
  • Team lead for curriculum and course content development and digitalisation for the Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and Computing, Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Economics, Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics and Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence, and for the Cyber Security programme spearheaded by the State Department of Higher Education and Research (2023).
  • Strategic leader in the development and implementation of the University's Performance Management System, including the 2024/2025 performance contracting process.
  • University Management Board coordinator for the recruitment of 53 academic and administrative staff.
  • Played a key role in establishing local and international collaborations, including Memoranda of Understanding with Indira Gandhi National Open University, India, and the Catholic University of Milan, Italy.
  • Served as Acting Vice-Chancellor on several occasions in 2024, in April, August, September and November.
  • Client representative for the Open University of Kenya Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system.

Supervision and Examination

  • Supervised three PhD students to completion, as well as many Master's and undergraduate students.
  • Examined three PhD theses, including one from the University of Cape Town.
  • External examiner and mentor for computing units at other universities.

Administrative Roles at the University of Nairobi

  • Postgraduate programmes coordinator, Department of Computing and Informatics (2013 to 2023), covering the PhD in Computer Science and Information Systems and the MSc programmes in Applied Computing, Computer Science, Distributed Computing Technology, Computational Intelligence and Information Technology Management.
  • Chair of the departmental curriculum review of the Master's programmes.
  • Second-year project coordinator (2005 to 2008).
  • Member of departmental, faculty and university committees, including the marketing and branding policy development, show and exhibition, University website and Rapid Results Initiative committees.

Professional Service

  • Member of the steering committee of the Kenya Digital Education Acceleration Programme (KDEAP) under the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy and the ICT Authority.
  • Chairperson of the Software and Software Services Technical Working Group, and member of the working group of professionals in information, public communications, media, public relations, ICT and law supporting the Ministry of ICT and the Digital Economy.
  • Member of the Sector Working Group on ICT reforms (2023/2024) and of the technical working group for the then proposed Open University of Kenya.
  • Panellist representing the Principal Secretary, ICT, in the Public Service Commission's recruitment of ICT Directors (February to April 2024), interviewing over 150 candidates, of whom 43 were selected.
  • Jury member for the Presidential Innovation Award (Youth Edition) 2023 and 2024 under the Talanta Hela programme and the Kenya National Innovation Agency; jury chairperson for the Kenya Innovation Award 2019/2020 and jury member for 2020/2021.
  • Local and international judge for the MEGA-ACE Hackathon (March to April 2023).
  • Quality assurance reviewer for the programming curriculum at the Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (September 2023).
  • Discipline-expert interview panellist for associate professor positions, Faculty of Information Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya (2023).
  • External examiner for the Faculty of Information Technology, Multimedia University of Kenya; the Information Technology department, Makerere University; and Machakos University.
  • Reviewer for the International Journal of Interactive Mobile Technologies (iJIM), the African Journal of Science, Technology, Innovation and Development (AJSTID) and the International Conference on Mobile HCI 2017.

Selected Keynotes and Presentations

  • Artificial Intelligence for Engineers Capacity Building, Belt and Road Forum on Engineering Capacity Building, Chengdu, China (June 2025).
  • Discussant on emerging technologies (Industry 4.0) and the African security landscape, Africa Security Management Conference, Nairobi (2025), and on the digitisation of public service, Eldoret (2025) and Connected Africa, Nairobi (2024).
  • Zero Trust Cybersecurity Strategy for Government IT Leaders, keynote at the global cybersecurity conference, Nairobi (2023).
  • Digital Trust: Creating a Digitally Trustworthy Enterprise, IT Professionals and Practitioners National Conference (IT.COP-KEBS), Mombasa (2023).
  • The State of Computer Science in Kenya, seminar at South Eastern Kenya University (2023).

Professional Memberships and Linkages

  • Member of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM).
  • Attached researcher at the Bamako Institute for Research and Development Studies (BIRDs).
  • Course convener (2015) for Harnessing the Use of Big Data for Socio-economic Development in Africa, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS).
  • Programme technical committee member, African Development Informatics Conference (2021).
  • Member of C4D, School of Computing, University of Nairobi, training many people in cyber security; member and trainer at the UNICEF-funded C4D d.School; and key resource person for the UNITID programme at the University of Nairobi.
  • Member of ICT4D African Researchers and alumnus of the ICT4D Lab, University of Cape Town.

E-learning Content Development

  • Software Engineering, Open University of Kenya (2024)
  • Database Systems, Open University of Kenya (2023/2024)
  • Computer Networks, Open University of Kenya (2023)
  • Health Informatics Research Methods (2018)
  • Quality Information for the Health Sector (2018)
  • Security, Privacy and Ethical Issues in Health Informatics (2017, 2019)

Software Systems Developed

  • Rental, human resource and payroll, store and inventory, finance, and dairy management systems
  • Security check-in/check-out and location logging systems (mobile and web)
  • Electronic Health Records (EHR) security application for Android and J2ME, linked with OpenEMR
  • Day labour worker web and mobile applications, including the MSR day labour and voice systems
  • University of Nairobi web portal and SMS facility system
  • Web-based genome database update for the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
  • CheckIT insurance claim verification system, an integrated insurance system and an HR recruitment module (Fortune Technologies)
  • E-content for introduction to programming and object-oriented programming

Professional Training and Certifications

  • Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification
  • Microsoft Certified Professional (C#)
  • Cisco IT Essentials I and II instructor modules
  • Creative Integration of Technology for Enhancing Research, and Introduction to GIS for Health Researchers, University of Washington
  • Corporate Governance and Audit, The Institute of Internal Auditors (June 2024)
  • Performance contracting (October 2024) and e-Citizen (September 2024) training
  • University of Nairobi pedagogy training and several e-learning content development trainings

Academic matrix

Qualifications

  • PhD in Computer Science, University of Cape Town (2013), thesis: Telecommuting in the developing world: A case of the day-labour market
  • MSc in Applied Computer Science, University of Nairobi (2006)
  • BSc in Computer Science (Upper Second), University of Nairobi (2003)

Core specialisations

  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Software Engineering
  • Cyber Security
  • Cryptography
  • Systems Security
  • Mobile Technology Security and Application Development
  • ICT4D

Selected peer-reviewed publications

Journal Papers and Book Chapters

  • Ogwoka, T., Oboko, R., & Chepken, C. (2026). From Moodle logs to cognitive load and performance insights: A theory-driven analytics methodology. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 25, 19. https://doi.org/10.28945/5723
  • Bitta, F., Oboko, R., & Chepken, C. (2026). Examining the relationship between IT project risk management and benefits realized from IT project implementation within the public sector. Malaysian Journal of Computing (MJoC), 11(1), 2348–2366.
  • Ochukut, S., Oboko, R., Miriti, E., Chepken, C., Kahonge, A., & Maina, E. (2025). Measuring cognitive load and motivation in e-learning: The case of two Kenyan universities. International Journal of Education and Development using Information and Communication Technology, 21(1), 106–118.
  • Mundia, J., Miriti, E. K., Mburu, S., Kahonge, A. M., & Chepken, C. K. (2024). Assessing mobile network fraud threats and prevention strategies in Kenya. East African Journal of Information Technology, 7(1), 279–300.
  • Ogwoka, T. M., Oboko, R. O., & Chepken, C. K. (2024). Comparative analysis of machine learning classifier models for predicting student cognitive load and performance outcomes in Moodle learning environment. East African Journal of Information Technology, 7(1), 301–317.
  • Muturi, P. N., Kahonge, A. M., Chepken, C. K., & Miriti, E. K. (2023). Modeling identity disclosure risk estimation using Kenyan situation. The African Journal of Information Systems, 15(4), 1.
  • Chepken, C. K. (2022). A contextualized farm management information system. East African Journal of Information Technology, 5(1), 131–141.
  • Muturi, P. N., Kahonge, A. M., & Chepken, C. K. (2022). Assessing identity disclosure risk in the absence of identified datasets in the public domain. East African Journal of Information Technology, 5(1), 62–75.
  • Makokha, F., Chepken, C., & Opiyo, E. (2021). End user centric quantitative trust model in cloud computing. American Journal of Computer Science and Engineering, 7(1), 1–7.
  • Muturi, P. N., Kahonge, A. M., & Chepken, C. K. (2021). Differentially private data release for data analytics: A model review. Database Systems Journal, 12(1), 21–31.
  • Makokha, F., Chepken, C., & Opiyo, E. (2020). A comparative study of a client based vendor neutral cloud QoS monitoring tool and cloud providers' platform integrated QoS monitoring tools. European Journal of Electrical, 4(1).
  • Chepken, K. C. (2020). Mobile based social media, what is cutting? Extensive findings. In S. Kir (Ed.), New Media and Visual Communication in Social Networks. IGI Global. ISBN 9781799810414.
  • Makokha, F., Opiyo, E. E., & Chepken, C. K. (2019). Browser integrated vendor neutral cloud QoS monitoring system. Engineering and Computer Science Journal, 8(6).
  • Musuva, P., Chepken, C., & Getao, K. (2019). A naturalistic methodology for assessing susceptibility to social engineering through phishing. The African Journal of Information Systems, 13(3).
  • Musuva, P. M. W., Getao, K., & Chepken, C. (2019). A new approach to modelling the effects of cognitive processing and threat detection on phishing susceptibility. Computers in Human Behavior, 94, 154–175.
  • Kante, M., Oboko, R., & Chepken, K. C. (2017). Factors affecting the use of ICTs on agricultural input information in developing countries. AIMS Agriculture and Food, AIMS Press.
  • Kante, M., Oboko, R. O., & Chepken, K. C. (2017). An ICT model for cereals' farmers in developing countries. American Journal of Information Systems (accepted for publication).
  • Chepken, K. C. (2016). The absence of one-size-fits-all in the day labour organizations ICT4D designs. In Human Development and Interaction in the Age of Ubiquitous Technology (p. 384). IGI Global. Google Books
  • Simatwa, A. P., & Chepken, K. C. (2015). Benchmarking quality of experience (QoE) offered by mobile network operators in Kenya: A user-centric approach. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, 5(1).
  • Chepken, K. C., & Nabwire, S. (2015). The possibility of one size fits all in ICT4D design: Not even when they have the same shape and size, a case study of the day-labour organisations. International Journal of Information Communication Technologies and Human Development (IJICTHD), 7(1). IGI Publishing.
  • Chepken, K. C. (2014). Importance of participant characteristics in software systems design in the informal sector. IEEE African Journal of Computing & ICTs (AJCICT), 7(2).
  • Chepken, K. C., & Muhalia, A. (2011). The poor and the mobile related spending. International Journal of Computing and ICT Research (IJCIR), 5(1).

Conference and Workshop Papers

  • Kiplagat, J., Chepken, C., & Kiptoo, C. (2024). Digital repository for African history, culture and heritage: A case of Keiyo community of Kenya. iPRES 2024, International Conference on Digital Preservation, Ghent, Belgium. https://doi.org/10.21428/5676bf2d.317252e1
  • Chepken, K. C., Mosha, M., & Ohue, P. O. (2023). A dynamic co-creation knowledge repository for Africa. In Proceedings of the 4th African Human Computer Interaction Conference (pp. 285–287). ACM.
  • Kante, M., Chepken, K. C., & Oboko, R. O. (2017). The influence of quality of ICT-based agricultural input information on use of ICTs by cereal farmers in developing countries. ICT4AD, Cameroon, 6–9 May 2017.
  • Kante, M., Oboko, R., & Chepken, K. C. (2017). Farmers' perceptions of ICT and its effects on agricultural input information in developing countries: Case of Sikasso, Mali. IST-Africa 2017, Namibia. IEEE.
  • Kante, M., Oboko, R., & Chepken, K. C. (2017). Method for translating an ICT survey questionnaire into French and Bambara. 10th Egerton University International Conference and Agriculture Summit, Nakuru, Kenya, 29–31 March 2017.
  • Mwasuma, E., & Chepken, K. C. (2016). Towards an effective SMS model for disseminating healthcare information. 3rd National M&E Best Practice Conference, Kenya School of Monetary Studies, Nairobi, 13–15 June 2016.
  • Chepken, K. C. (2013). One Laptop per Child revisited: A case of Kenya. Workshop at ICTD 2013, Cape Town, South Africa.
  • Chepken, K. C., Blake, E., & Marsden, G. (2013). ICTs and survival tactics for the day-labour workers: Implications for design. In Proceedings of the IST-Africa Conference, Nairobi. IEEE.
  • Chepken, K. C., Mugwanya, R., Blake, E., & Marsden, G. (2012). ICTD interventions: Trends over the last decade. In Proceedings of the ICTD Conference. ACM.
  • Chepken, K. C., Blake, E., & Marsden, G. (2011). Day labour mobile electronic data capture and browsing system. In Proceedings of the South African Institute for Computer Scientists and Information Technologists (SAICSIT), Cape Town, 3–5 October 2011.
  • Chepken, K. C., Blake, E., & Marsden, G. (2011). Software design for informal setups: Centring the benefits. In Proceedings of the 14th Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (SATNAC), East London, South Africa, 4–7 September 2011.
  • Waema, T. M., Odera, G., Adeya-Weya, C. N., Were, P., Masinde, E. M., Chepken, C., … & Kenduiywo, P. (2009). Development of a business process outsourcing industry in Kenya: Critical success factors. Policy brief submitted to the International Development Research Centre, Ottawa (IDRC Grant 104488-001).
  • Owigar, J., & Chepken, K. C. (2008). Mobile blogging system. In Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Broadband Communications, Information Technology and Biomedical Engineering (BroadCom 2008) (pp. 164–168). IEEE.
  • Chepken, K. C., Okello-Odongo, W., & Mwaura, A. (2007). Mobile programming platform complexities in developing of smart applications. 1st International Computer Science and ICT Conference, Nairobi, Kenya, 5–7 February 2007.
  • Omwenga, E., Chepken, K. C., & Muhamed, B. Complexity reduction in the formative evaluation process using the quiz integrator. 1st International Conference on Sustainable ICT Capacity in Developing Countries, Makerere University, Uganda.
  • Chepken, K., Opiyo, E., & Waiganjo, P. (2004). Computer based medical diagnostic decision assistant. 1st International ICT Workshop on Application of ICT in Enhancing Higher Learning Education, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, 28–30 April 2004.
Subject to standard academic verification

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