Designation

Dean RIO/ Associate Professor – Data Science school of Technology

Staff E-mail Address

mburul@kcau.ac.ke

Academic Qualification

• Ph.D. in Geoinformatics (University of Heidelberg, Germany)
• MSc in Computer-based Information Systems with Distinction (University of Sunderland, UK)
• Post-graduate Diploma and PGC in Computer-based Information Systems (University of Sunderland, UK)

Profile

Prof. Lucy Waruguru Mburu is an Associate Professor of Data Science, geospatial data scientist and Dean of Research, Innovation and Outreach at KCA University. She has more than 18 years of experience in higher education, applied research, postgraduate supervision, research leadership and institutional capacity development. She holds a Ph.D. in GIScience from Heidelberg University, Germany, where her doctoral research focused on predictive spatial modelling using geographic data.

Her research lies at the intersection of geospatial data science, artificial intelligence, spatial analytics and sustainable development. Her current research increasingly applies GeoAI and spatial modelling to road safety and injury prevention, disaster and climate resilience, public health and service accessibility, sustainable urban systems and data-driven decision-making. She has supervised doctoral and master’s research in machine learning, artificial intelligence, spatial analytics, information systems and digital transformation.

As Dean of Research, Innovation and Outreach, Prof. Waruguru provides strategic leadership for research development, research governance, innovation, postgraduate research, partnerships, capacity building and the translation of research into societal impact. She has led the development of multidisciplinary and international research partnerships and supports researchers in competitive grant development, research quality and innovation. Her higher-education leadership development includes training through the International Deans’ Course (IDC), an intensive leadership programme coordinated by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

She is Co-Chair of the ISPRS Inter-Commission Working Group IV/III on Global Geospatial Data and Intelligence for Sustainable Development Goals. In 2025, she chaired the Joint ISPRS–ISDE International Conference on Geo-Digitalization for Sustainable Development Goals and the 3^rd Youth Innovation Forum of Digital Earth hosted by KCA University. Her international research experience includes a TWAS–DFG-supported collaborative research visit at TU Dortmund University, Germany, and an IUCEA Staff Mobility research placement at Dar es Salaam University College of Education (DUCE), Tanzania, in 2026.

She has contributed to the development of KCA University’s Research Centre for Road Safety and Accident Surveillance, advancing multidisciplinary research, data-driven accident surveillance, GeoAI and technology-enabled approaches to safer mobility.

Keywords: GIScience; Geospatial Data Science; GeoAI; Artificial Intelligence; Machine Learning; Spatial Epidemiology; Road Safety; Disaster and Climate Resilience; Spatial Modelling; Digital Transformation; Sustainable Development; Research Leadership

Selected Publications: Books, Refereed publications & Non Refereed publications

• Okiyai, I., Mburu, L. & Omol, E.J. (2026) Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) in Self-Regulated Personalised Learning in Digital Education. Computers: Special Issue in Computer-Assisted Learning and Teaching Tools in the AI Era, https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202609.0598.v1. In Pre-print https://www.preprints.org/manuscript/202609.0598
• Omol, E.J., Mburu, L.W. & Abuonji, P.A. (2025). “Digital Maturity Assessment Model (DMAM): Assimilation of Design Science Research (DSR) and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI).” Digital Transformation and Society, 4(2), 128–152. https://doi.org/10.1108/DTS-04-2024-0049
• Omol, E., Mburu, L., & Onyango, D. (2024). Anomaly Detection In IoT Sensor Data Using Machine Learning Techniques For Predictive Maintenance In Smart Grids. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 5(1), 201-210. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v5i1.1028
• Omol, E., Mburu, L., & Abuonji, P. (2024). Unlocking Digital Transformation: The Pivotal Role of Data Analytics and Business Intelligence Strategies. International Journal of Knowledge Content Development & Technology, 14(3), 77-91. https://journals.sfu.ca/ijkcdt/index.php/ijkcdt/article/view/983
• Omol, E., Onyangor, D., Mburu, L., & Abuonji, P. (2024). Application Of K-Means Clustering For Customer Segmentation In Grocery Stores In Kenya. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 5(1), 192-200. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v5i1.1024
• Omol, E. J., Onyango, D. A., Mburu, L. W., & Abuonji, P. A. (2024). Apriori Algorithm and Market Basket Analysis to Uncover Consumer Buying Patterns: Case of a Kenyan Supermarket (2024). Buana Information Technology and Computer Sciences (BIT and CS), 5(2), 51-63. https://journal.ubpkarawang.ac.id/bit-cs/article/download/6082/5231
• Omol, E., Mburu, L., & Abuonji, P. (2024). Pioneering digital transformation in Africa: the path to maturity amidst unique challenges and opportunities. Can. J. Bus. Inf. Stud, 6(2), 35-48. https://doi.org/10.34104/cjbis.024.035048
• Héritier Nsenge, M., Lucy Waruguru, M., & Simon Nyaga, M. (2023). Exploratory factor analysis of congolese information technology graduates’ employability: towards sustainable employment. SAGE Open, 13(4). https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231210109
• Mpia, H. N., Mburu, L. W., & Mwendia, S. N. (2023). CoBERT: A Contextual BERT model for recommending employability profiles of information technology students in unstable developing countries. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 125, 106728. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.engappai.2023.106728
• Kanyambu, F., & Waruguru, L. (2023). Modelling Credit Risk using System Dynamics: The case of Licensed Credit Reference Bureaus in Kenya. Computers and Informatics, 3(1), 47-56. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/2966774
• Mpia, H.N., Mburu, L.W. & Mwendia, S.N. (2023) Applying Data Mining in Graduates Employability A Systematic Literature Review. International Journal of Engineering Pedagogy (iJEP), 13(2). https://doi.org/10.3991/ijep.v13i2.33643
• Ondiek, B., Waruguru, L., & Njenga, S. (2023). Recommender System for STEM Enrolment in Universities Using Machine Learning Algorithms: Case of Kenyan Universities. International Journal of Science, Technology & Management, 4(6), 1465-1476. https://doi.org/10.46729/ijstm.v4i6.1009
• Mpia, H.N., Mwendia, S.N. & Mburu, L. W. (2022) Predicting Employability of Congolese Information Technology Graduates Using Contextual Factors: Towards Sustainable Employability. Sustainability, 14(20). https://doi.org/10.3390/su142013001
• Mburu, L., & Helbich, M. (2016). Environmental Risk Factors Influencing Bicycle Theft: A Spatial Analysis in London, UK. PLoS ONE. 11(9); https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0163354
• Li, M., Sagl, G., Mburu, L. & Fan, H. (2016). A contextualized and personalized model to predict user interest using location-based social networks. Computers, Environment and Urban Systems. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0198971516300357
• Mburu, L. & Bakillah, M. (2016). Modeling Spatial Interactions between Areas to Assess the Burglary Risk. ISPRS International Journal of Geo-Information. 5(4), 47. https://www.mdpi.com/2220-9964/5/4/47
• Mburu, L., & Helbich, M. (2015). Communities as Neighborhood Guardians: A Spatio-Temporal Analysis of Community Policing in Nairobi Suburbs. Applied Spatial Analysis and Policy, 1-22. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12061-015-9178-7

Research Interest

Conferences & Chapters

• Kamau, S. & Waruguru Mburu, L. (2025). “Predicting Domestic Water Consumption in Urban Areas Using Smart Water Meter Data.” 2025 IEEE 4th International Conference on Computing and Machine Intelligence (ICMI), pp. 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICMI65310.2025.11141211
• Kangéthe, G., & Mburu, L. W. (2023, June). Evaluating the Efficacy of Elearning in Higher Educational Institutions using Educational Data Mining. In 2023 IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC) (pp. 1-6). IEEE. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10332379
• Kageche, J.W. & Mburu L.W. (2021). Geo-Fencing Model for Real-time Querying of Land Status in Njoro, Kenya. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC). https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/9570211
• Mburu, L. W., Karanja, R., & Nyaga, S. M. (2020). A Knowledge-as-a-Service Support Framework for Ambient Learning in Kenya. Proceedings of the 13th IADIS International Conference Information Systems 2020, Utrecht, the Netherlands. https://www.iadisportal.org/digital-library/a-knowledge-as-a-service-support-framework-for-ambient-learning-in-kenya
• Rumbe, G.O. & Mburu, L. (2019). An Integrated Information Systems Adoption Model for Businesses in Kajiado, Kenya. Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Engineering, Technology and Innovation (ICE/ITMC). https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8792594
• Mburu, L. (1997). Applying User-Centered Interface Design Methods to Improve the Usability of an Electronic Prescription System. MSc. Project Dissertation. https://dissertation.com/books/1612334148

Research Grants

• ELEVATE-AI: Empowering African Higher Education for Innovation and Productivity through Artificial Intelligence. (ERASMUS+ Multi-country grant 2026) Value €800,000
• IUCEA Staff Mobility Programme 2025/2026 – selected for a research-focused international academic mobility placement at Dar es Salaam University College of Education, Tanzania (May–August 2026) Value $10,000
• TAFSIRI Project: Bridging Agricultural Information Gaps for Rural Farmers Using Direct Speech-to-Speech Translation in Kenyan Languages. KENET Research grant (2025), Value Kes 1.5 million
• Dialogue on Innovative Higher Education Strategies (DIES) – International Deans’ Course Africa, 2025/2026 (Value €13,800)
• TWAS–DFG Cooperation Visit Programme – competitive postdoctoral/collaborative research award supporting spatial modelling of road traffic accidents at TU Dortmund University, Germany (2024) Value €10,500
• Kenya–Norway Mobility Programme to Advance Computer Science at KCA University, the University of Nairobi and the University of Stavanger, Norway (2018-2021) Value $4,647,128
• KENET Travel grant awards supporting research and international scholarly engagement (2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025) Total Value Kes. 1 million

Research Quality

• 	All	Since 2021
  Citations	511	412
  h-index	15	13
  i10-index	18	15

  

International Outlook

• Collaborative Research Visit at TU Dortmund University (May-Aug 2024)
• Collaborative Research Visit at the Dra es Salaam University College of Education (May-Aug 2026)
• Joint ISPRS–ISDE International Conference on Geo-Digitalization for Sustainable Development Goals and 3rd Youth Innovation Forum of Digital Earth (2025 Conference Chair)

Awards and Recognitions

• Recognized by KENET among Kenya’s leading female researchers in the Computer Science and Information Systems Special Interest Group
• Recognition for Outstanding Research and Innovation at KCA University
• Competitive recipient of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS)–German Research Foundation (DFG) Cooperation Visit Programme
• Selected participant, DAAD/DIES International Deans’ Course Africa 2025/2026
• Selected scholar, IUCEA Staff Mobility Programme 2025/2026

Media Presence and Public Engagement

• Trainer on Advanced Technologies for Plant Pest Surveillance using Geospatial techniques, National Plant Protection Inspectors’ Training hosted by The Center of Phytosanitary Excellence Africa (COPE) and co-funded by the European Union and TradeMark Africa (2026) https://lnkd.in/p/ddGg-8aS
• Panel Speaker at 3^rdInternational Student Conference on Data Science and AI Innovation (2026) https://lnkd.in/p/dAwBTBAi
• Keynote address on “Industry 4.0 & 5.0 and the Future of Work among TVET Youths”, ICRIST-1, Michuki National Polytechnic (2026) https://educationnews.co.ke/michuki-national-poly-hosts-first-international-research-and-innovation-conference-to-foster-scientific-skills/
• Innovation Session with Shiku Kaitany on K24 (2023) https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=1826494034649239
• Kenya Thought Leadership Event (2022) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-gz-r3XsMc

Social Media and Academic Networking Tools

• https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucy-waruguru-62b9a535/
• https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Lucy-Mburu-2
• https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=cfKzd8wAAAAJ&hl=en
• ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6822-4954