Welcome to Fluid Dynamics Research Group
We are dedicated to advancing the understanding of fluid dynamics through innovative research and collaboration.
Our Research
Our group focuses on various aspects of fluid dynamics, including:
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Experimental Fluid Dynamics
- Combustion Flows
- Multiphase Flows
- Wind tunnel testing
Our Team
Our diverse team consists of researchers from different departments at JKUAT.
Dr. Meshack Hawi
Dr. Meshack Hawi holds BSc and MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, both from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) - Kenya, received in 2012 and 2015, respectively, and PhD in Energy Resources Engineering from Egypt-Japan University of Science and Technology (E-JUST), Egypt (2019).
He was a visiting researcher in the Department of Systems and Control Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, in 2018 and 2022 to 2023 for his PhD and Postdoctoral research, respectively.
He is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, JKUAT. His research interest is in Combustion Systems, Internal Combustion Engines (ICEs), Renewable Energy and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
Contact:
Email: mhawi@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Bernerd Owiti (PhD)
Bernard Owiti (PhD) holds a BSc (2012) and MSc (2015) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) – Kenya, and a PhD in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from Tottori University, Japan (2020).
He also did his Postdoctoral research in Tottori university between 2023 and 2024 and studied CFD modelling of pump fluid flow as well as wind tunnel flow experiments.
Currently, he is a Lecturer in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, JKUAT.
Contact:
Email: bowiti@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Patrick I Muiruri (PhD)
Dr. Patrick Irungu Muiruri is a lecturer at the Mechanical Engineering Department, in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
He holds a doctorate degree in Engineering from the University of Botswana in 2019. He graduated with a BSc and MSc in Aircraft Design Engineering from National Research University formally known as Samara State Aerospace University in Russia in 2009.
Dr. Patrick is a scholar and mentor in Engineering, and a registered graduate engineer by Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).
His areas of research interest are Aeronautics, Aerodynamics, Design of Aircraft, Aerodynamics, Wind Energy, Mechanical and Systems Design, FEM & CFD Simulations.
Contact:
Office: ELB 004
Email: pmuiruri@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Solomon Wekesa
Dr. Solomon Wekesa Wakolo holds BSc and MSc degree in Mechanical Engineering, both from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) - Kenya, received in 2014 and 2019, respectively, and PhD in Energy Materials science (Specializing in fuel cells) University of Yamanashi, Japan (2024).
He is a registered graduate Engineer by both EBK and IEK. He is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, JKUAT.
His research interest is in Hydrogen fuel cells, Electrolyzers, Piezoelectric materials, Solar energy, spectroscopy and automation.
Contact:
Email: solomonwekesa@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. (Eng.) Anthony Muchiri
A Lecturer at the department of Mechatronic Engineering, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT).
Also a Registered Aerospace Engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya.
Holds a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering (Delft University of Technology), and a PhD from JKUAT.
A member of the Nakuja rocket project (JKUAT) and also the KSA 3U-Nanosattelite Research Chair.
Research interests and projects: Development of multipurpose low speed wind tunnel, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), design of engineering systems, space mission planning, project management and maintenance management.
Contact:
Email: muchiri@eng.jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Benson Mwangi
Dr. Benson Oyunge Mwangi holds a BSc degree in Mechanical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) - Kenya, received in 2013.
He also has a MEng. and Ph.D. in Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering from Osaka University, Japan (2018 and 2021 respectively).
He was a Postdoctoral researcher at Nagasaki University, Japan between 2023 and 2024 working on the Optimization of Horizontal Axis Tidal Current turbine using Artificial Intelligence (AI)-Assisted Genetic Algorithms.
He is currently a visiting researcher at Nagasaki University.
He is a registered Graduate Engineer with the Engineers Board of Kenya (EBK).
He is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Marine Engineering, JKUAT.
His research interests are in Ship Hydrodynamics, Experimental Fluid Dynamics, Computational Fluid Dynamics, and Renewable Energy
Contact:
Email: benson.oyunge@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Shohei Aoki
Dr. Shohei Aoki is an adjunct associate professor at the Department of Mechatronic Engineering at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), where he engages in a technical cooperation project by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) as a long-term expert.
Dr. Aoki is interested in researching aerospace and robotics applications that create novel job opportunities in Africa.
Dr. Aoki is the founder of the Nakuja Project, a joint project with the Kenya Space Agency (KSA) to develop locally made rockets that bring nanosatellites into the earth's orbit.
Dr. Aoki received his Ph.D. from the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at the University of Tokyo.
Contact:
Email: aoki@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. John Ng'ethe
Dr. John Ng’ethe holds BSc and MSc degrees in Mechanical Engineering, both from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) - Kenya, received in 2012 and 2019, respectively, and PhD in Earth Resource Engineering (Specializing in geothermal utilization) from Kyushu University, Japan (2023).
He is currently a Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, JKUAT.
His research interest is in geothermal exploration, development, and utilization (direct and indirect).
His research interests include thermodynamics-fluid-flow analysis (Exergy analysis, CFD analysis, and MCDM & MOO optimization).
Contact:
Email: ngethej@jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Peter Oketch
Dr.-Ing. Peter Oketch is a lecturer in the department of mechanical engineering.
He holds a PhD from the University of Duisburg-Essen Germany, Master and Bachelors degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Mechanical Engineering.
His research interests are in the areas of combustion, heat transfer, modelling, renewable energy and energy systems.
Contact:
Email: poketch@eng.jkuat.ac.ke
Dr. Hiram Ndiritu
Dr. Eng. Hiram Ndiritu holds BSc (1997), MSc (2007) and PhD (2012) degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) - Kenya.
He was a visiting professor in 2015 at the Institute of Heat and Power (IHE), Faculty of Aerospace and Power at Warsaw University of Technology in Warsaw, Poland.
He is currently the Principal College of Engineering and Technology (CoETEC) and a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, JKUAT.
He has been involved in more than 10 funded projects leading to supervision of over 20 postgraduate research and writing of over 60 articles.
His research interests include Combustion Systems Optimization, Renewable Energy modeling and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).
Contact:
Email: hndiritu@eng.jkuat.ac.ke
Publications
- Muchiri, A. K., B. Oindi, and C. Soi. "Development of a Variable Test Section Low Speed Wind Tunnel." Proceedings of the Sustainable Research and Innovation Conference. 2022. Link
- Muiruri, Patrick Irungu, Oboetswe Seraga Motsamai, and Rehema Ndeda. "A comparative study of RANS-based turbulence models for an upscale wind turbine blade." SN Applied Sciences 1.3 (2019): 237 link
- Muiruri, Patrick Irungu, and Oboetswe Seraga Motsamai. "Three dimensional cfd simulations of a wind turbine blade section; validation." J. Eng. Sci. Technol. Rev 11.1 (2018): 138-145. Link
- Muiruri, Patrick Irungu, and Oboetswe Seraga Motsamai. "Computational Effects of Winglet Tilted Within Range of-45° and+ 45° on the Up-Scale Wind Turbine Blade Using CFD." Mathematical Modelling of Engineering Problems 7.1 (2020). Link
- Motsamai, O. S., and P. I. Muiruri. "Three-dimensional effects of trailing edge flap and winglet integrated on up-scale wind turbine blade." IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science. Vol. 354. No. 1. IOP Publishing, 2019. Link
- Simiyu, Laura W., et al. "Optimization of polygonal cross-sectioned conformal cooling channels in injection molding." International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing (IJIDeM) 18.3 (2024): 1593-1609. Link
- Simiyu, Laura W., et al. "Geometrical Parameter Optimization of Circular Cross-Section Conformal Cooling Channels in Injection Molds of Plastic Paving Block Molds." International Journal of Engineering Research in Africa 70 (2024): 37-51. Link