City: KENYA

Ar. Evans Juma Oino is a distinguished architect, senior academic leader, and industry icon who has spent over 27 years shaping the architectural landscape, professional governance, and built environment education across East Africa. Highly regarded for his ability to seamlessly navigate between advanced architectural theory and large-scale practical execution, he has spearheaded a diverse array of public, private, and donor-funded developments, driving modern solutions for urban ecosystems.

Design Philosophy & Expertise

Ar. Oino’s architectural approach blends strategic spatial planning with environmental responsiveness, technical risk management, and a deep-seated focus on sustainable urban development and affordable housing. He is a staunch advocate for long-term capacity building and structured governance within the built environment, ensuring that regional development respects both contemporary structural demands and ecological realities. His diverse expertise spans across master planning, project management, environmental design, and interior architecture.

Key Projects & Institutional Impact

• Civic & Institutional Leadership: As the Founder and Lead Architect of OJE Associates, Ar. Oino has successfully delivered a vast portfolio of prominent commercial, institutional, hospitality, religious, and residential projects.
• Urban Governance: He actively lends his strategic expertise to public regulatory frameworks, serving as a vital Member of the Nairobi City County Physical and Landuse Planning Liaison Committee and the Nairobi Land Justice Working Group.
• Global Exhibitions: His design innovation has been celebrated on international platforms, with his works featured at the prestigious London Design Festival during the International Architecture & Design Showcase.

Professional Background

Ar. Oino’s career is deeply intertwined with architectural mentorship and the formal advancement of regional pedagogy. He has served as a Senior Lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) for nearly three decades. Beyond the classroom, he has played an foundational role in establishing architectural standards across nations, serving as a Trustee on the Governing Council of the Architectural Association of Kenya (AAK). He has additionally guided transnational education policies through his tenures as Chairman of the Board of Education for both the Commonwealth Association of Architects (CAA) and the East Africa Institute of Architects (EAIA).

Education & Credentials

• Master of Engineering (Architecture & Environmental Design): Kyoto University
• Bachelor of Architecture (First Class Honours): Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology (JKUAT)
• Experience: 27+ Years of Professional and Academic Leadership
• Credentials: Fellow, Architectural Association of Kenya (F.AAK); Registered Architect, BORAQS; Member, Architectural Institute of Japan (AIJ); Member, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB, US)

Ar. Susan has done her Ph.D in Architecture from the University of Sheffield in 2000. She is working as Lecturer in Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. She has supervised several undergraduate Architecture students in their final thesis, Masters students in Architecture and Construction Management. She has Worked at the Ministry of Public Works as an Assistant Architect and have also been engaged with private practice. She was also Dean, School of Architecture and Building Sciences. 

OFFICIAL NAME: ARCH. PROF. ALFRED OMENYA

DESIGNATION: CEO ECOBUILD-AFRICA

SOCIAL MEDIA HANDLES:  @aomenya (Twitter); Alfred Omenya (facebook)

BIO

Arch. Prof. Alfred Omenya is a practicing architect and sustainable human settlements expert. He is the Principal Researcher and CEO at Eco-Build Africa, a leading consultancy on sustainable urban development for developing countries. He is Adjunct Prof. University of Canberra in Australia and Kenyatta University in Kenya. He is the Chairman of the Education Committee of the College of Fellows of the Architectural Association of Kenya.

Omenya has been Associate Professor and Head of School of the Built Environment at the Technical University of Kenya. He previously taught at the University of the Witwatersrand (RSA) and the University of Nairobi (Kenya) where he still serves as external examiner. He has supervised numerous Masters and PhD students. He helped establish schools of the built environment in Kenya, Rwanda, Malawi and South Africa. He has published over 100 academic papers and remains external examiner in various universities, including University of Warwick, Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, University of Nairobi, University of Malawi, University of Rwanda, etc. He collaborates with leading universities globally in research including the Harvard Graduate School, ETH Zurich, University of Manchester (UK), University of Florida (Gainesville US), Virginia Commonwealth University, among others.

He started professional practice at Planning Systems Services (Kenya) and also worked with Sync Consult Pty (South Africa). He has designed hundreds of commercial, residential and hospitality projects in Kenya, Uganda and a few in South Africa. He was the lead consultant for the New Green Master Plan for United Nations Headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. Prof. Omenya was identified by the International Union of Architects as a major opinion shaper on the future of sustainable architecture. Prof. Omenya helped establish the African Union Climate Change Centre, developed the African Union 25 Year Climate Change Strategy and was also lead author for the African Union Vision 2063 on Urban Development.

Omenya has consulted for international organisations including: the World Bank, African Union, UNEP, UK-Aid / DfID, Oxfam GB, Sida, etc. He was lead author of the UN-Habitat’s State of African Cities Report series for many years. He co-authored “the Definition of Housing Terms for the Republic of South Africa”, “Guidelines for County Spatial Planning for the Republic of Kenya”, and “the African Union Climate Change Strategy”. In 2018 and 2019 he published two research reports on the State of Housing in Kenya. He is currently the lead consultant in development of Building Regulations incorporating Sustainability, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Management for the Republic of Malawi, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and Republic of Uganda. Locally Prof. Omenya is supporting the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP), the Sustainable Urban Economic Development Programme for Kenya (SUED) and the Programme Management Office for Post-Covid 19 Recovery.