DEATH SNATCHES SENIOR LECTURER DR PERES WENJE FROM MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY

The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technologies was on November 3rd, 2020 thrown into mourning following the death of the institution’s Dean School of Arts and Social Sciences Dr Peres Wenje.

The senior lecturer died aged 46.  His wife Martabel was quoted saying that the senior lecturer begun experiencing ill health moments after the death of his mother. Dr Wenje died at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital.

WHAT MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGIES SAID:

“Dear Staff and Students, I have learnt with sorrow, this morning, of the demise of Dr. Perez Wenje, Dean, School of Arts and Social Sciences at JOOTRH, Kisumu. He has been unwell since he lost his mother about two weeks ago.”

Prof. Solomon Shibairo Acting Vice Chancellor

“Let us join hands in helping the family physically, emotionally, financially and in prayer. God bless you.” Prof. Solomon Shibairo Acting Vice Chancellor

“On behalf of the entire MMUST fraternity, we pass our heartfelt condolences to the entire Dr. Wenje family, SASS and all MMUST fraternity. May God comfort us and give us strength to bear the loss.” @MMUST_Kenya

DR WENJE PERSONAL UPLOAD ON HIS CAREER

“My teaching and research interest are in the area of Development Communication, specializing in Health Communication option. As a development communication expert and researcher, my focus has been on information dissemination and education, behavior change, social marketing, social mobilization, media advocacy, communication for social change, and participatory communication. The key interest for development communication have generally centered on changing traditional behavior of the people. Much has also been done for emphasizing adoptions of modern techniques and technologies. Health communication is one of the branches of development communication. It involves dissemination of information aimed at disease control, prevention and health promotion. My breakthrough in research was the discovery that ora-media are highly effective in the dissemination of HIV/AIDS prevention information among the people of Africa. Their effectiveness stems from the fact that it is a communication process that is not alienating or threatening but biased towards local content and ownership. The emphasis is on dialogue, debate and negotiation rather than persuasion and the transmission of information from the external technical experts. Based on the study findings, my study suggested a shift from mass media to ora-media in disseminating HIV/AIDS information.”

QUALIFICATIONS

PhD in Communications & Media Studies(2014)- Maseno University

Post-graduate Diploma in Mass Communication (2000)-University of Nairobi

Master of Arts in Linguistics (1999)-University of Nairobi

Bachelor of Linguistics and Kiswahili (1996) – University of Nairobi

EXPERTISE

Development Communication, specializing in Health Communication option.

 RESEARCH INTERESTS

 My research interests have generally centered on changing traditional behavior of the people. My focus has also been on adoptions of modern techniques and technologies.

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS

Wenje, P.,Nyambuga, C.O., Nyambedha, E.O., and Catherine Muhoma(2015). Sigendni Luo (Luo proverbs) as Communication Intervention Tool in the Fight against HIV/AIDS among the Luo of Western Kenya. In International Journal of Communication and Health (IJCH), No. 5, 2015

Anyonje, L and Wenje, P. (2011). Ethical Issues in Kenyan Media Practice: What Separates the Good Writers and Publishers from the Frauds and Con Artists?, in Journal of Education and Social SciencesVol1 Issue No.2, ISSN2223-490X.

Wenje, P., Nyambedha, E.O. and Catherine Muhoma(2011) Wende Luo(Luo Songs) as an Intervention Tool in the Fight against HIV/AIDS among the Luo of western Kenya in Journal of AIDS and HIV Research(JAHR), Vol 3(7) pp.151-160. ISSN 2141-2359.

Kamau Mwangi and Peres Wenje, “The Role of Vernacular Mass Media in Kenya’s 2007- 2008-Post-Election Violence, Reconstruction and Reconciliation”, in International Journal for Disaster Management and Risk Reduction(IJDMRR) Vol.3 No. 3; 2011. pp.158-170

Wenje, P. “Use of Mass Media in Dissemination of Scientific and Technological Ideas” in Science and Human Values (2006) Edited by Onkware, K and Nehemiah Nyaundi. Eldoret: Zapf Publishers. pp. 127-140

Wenje, P. “Participatory Research: A Methodology That Makes A Difference” in Maseno University Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (2006). Maseno University Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Vol.1 No.1. pp. 14-26

Wenje, P. and Irene Nyambura, “The role of Radio in national development: A Case of Kenya’s FM Radio Stations in Maseno University Journal of Arts and Social Sciences (2007)

Wenje P. and Bwire Victor (2000) “How the Kenyan media covers the children’s right issues : A content analysis of Daily Nation and Kenya Times between July and December 1999.” University of Nairobi, School of Journalism