Dr. Mwinyikione Mwinyihija has been appointed as the Director of the COMESA-Leather and Leather Products Institute, with effect from 2nd of January 2013. Dr. Mwinyihija is taking over the role from the longtime Director of COMESA, Dr Geremew Debelie, who passed away on the 10th of September, 2011.
Dr. Mwinyihija’s prior experience included serving as the Secretary/Chief Executive Officer Kenya Leather Development Council in Kenya, a technical panel member and project team leader (Ostrich and Crocodile skins standards development) of the International standards organization and in the recent past, Kenya’s representative to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Hides, skins and leather subsector group, Scientific Committee member of IULTCS and Ege University Conference and Scientific fora. He is also receiver of several national, regional and international awards.
Dr. Mwinyihija holds Doctorate in Environmental Science (Ecotoxicology and Bioremediation related to the Tanning Industry) University of Aberdeen, Scotland, UK. Later in 2011 he received his Post-Doctorate degree leading to DSc from the Atlantic International University, Hawaii, USA in the same fields and discipline. He is also expected to receive a Doctorate degree in Management from the SMC-University, Switzerland later in 2013. He is a fellow and has Chartership from Society of Biology (UK), Water and Environmental Management University (UK), Science Institute, Society of Environment and active member of American Leather Chemist Association. Has reviewed books alongside publishing several peer reviewed papers.
Dr. Mwinyihija has extensive experience in research in Tanning Industry Pollutants, as a Lead Expert in Environmental Impact /Audit Assessment, and Hides and Skins Improvement work consultancy services to high profile organization such as OXFAM (Kenya), Malindo consultancy, UK and Office of Economic Policy and Regional Development (EPRD), Poland.
He is married and has 5 children.