Dr. John Ndavula

Dr. John Ndavula

Senior Lecturer School: Humanities and Social Sciences
jndavula@mut.ac.ke

Biography

Dr. John Ndavula is an educator, author, and editor. He is currently a Senior Lecturer and Chair of the Department of Humanities at Murang’a University of Technology. He earned a PhD in Mass Communication from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He holds a Master’s degree from Moi University, a Bachelor’s degree from Egerton University and a Postgraduate Diploma from the Kenya Institute of Mass Communication.

Dr. Ndavula is the editor of Journal of Innovation, Technology and Sustainability, and Kikwetu: A Journal of East African Literature. His recent publication is Social Media and Political Campaigns in Kenya: An Examination of the Influence of Digital Networking Technologies on Election Processes which is published by Borderless Press, Alameda, California. He edited the book, The Changing Scenes of Disability in Church and Society (2021). He has published numerous academic articles on mass communication, social media, politics and disability. He has also authored numerous book chapters in peer reviewed publications.

He is also a media consultant who has trained Kenyan journalists on disability reporting with the Kenya Disability Parliamentary Association (KEDIPA) and trained journalist from Sub-Saharan Africa on disability reporting with Internews organisation.

Dr. Ndavula is also a creative writer who has published short fiction as well as story books for children. His most recent fiction includes Smart Sidi and Tina and Smart Sidi and the Bicycle Race both published by Longhorn. His fiction has appeared in Blue Fifth Review and Kikwetu Journal. He has also published literary criticism books on fiction from East Africa and Europe.

Additionally, he scripts and produces TV drama and documentary films. Most recently, he has scripted for a TV drama series, Mela’s House, which aired on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation Television.

His teaching and research interests are in mass communication, social media, political campaigns, and disability studies.

Dr. Ndavula has designed, implemented and reviewed university curricula in communication studies as well as supervised postgraduate students.

Education

Publications

Books Published

  1. Ndavula, J. (Ed.). (2023). The Making of a Cathedral: St. Stephen’s Jogoo Road. Nairobi: ACK St. Stephen’s Cathedral.
  2. Kabue, S., Kalengyo, E., Ndavula, J., & Okola, A. (Eds.) (2021). The Changing Scenes of Disability in Church and Society. Nairobi: Ecumenical Disability Advocates Network.
  3. Ndavula, J. O. (2018). Social Media and Political Campaigns in Kenya: An Examination of the Influence of Digital Networking Technologies on Election Processes. Alameda, CA: Borderless Press.
  4. Ndavula, J. O. & Nakendo, M. (2015). A Guide to Mulwa’s Inheritance. Nairobi: Longhorn.
  5. Ndavula, J. O. & Shimanyula, J. B. (2009). An Extraordinary Study of Ngugi wa Thiong’o’s The River Between. Nairobi: Africa Wide Network.
  6. Ndavula, J. O. & Shimanyula, J. B. (2009). An Extraordinary Study of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People. Nairobi: Africa Wide Network.
  7. Obwavo, J. & Sikuku, O. (2005). A Study Guide to John Ruganda’s Shreds of Tenderness. Eldoret: Western Educational Publishers.
  8. Obwavo, J. (2005). A Study Guide to William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. Eldoret: Western Educational Publishers.

Peer Reviewed Book Chapters Published

  1. Lidubwi, J. U., & Ndavula, J. (2025). Revitalising Endangered Languages through Social Media: A Case Study of Olunyore Language Preservation through Facebook in Kenya. In F. O. Makananise & S. E. Madima (Eds.). Decolonising Digital Media and Indigenisation of Participatory Epistemologies (pp. 163-174). London: Routledge.
  2. Ndavula, J., & Agufana, P. B. (2023). Should curricula be the same? Towards media studies curriculum reforms in Kenya. In S. Mudavanhu, S. Mpofu, & K. Batisai (Eds.). Decolonising Media and Communication Studies Education in Sub-Saharan Africa (pp. 160-174). London: Routledge.
  3. Ndavula, J., & Lidubwi, J. U. (2023). Can Vernacular Radio Be Conflict Sensitive? An Analysis of Vernacular Radio Programming in Western Kenya. In A. Salawu, B. T. Molale, E. Uribe-Jongbloed, & M. S. Ullah (Eds.). Indigenous Language for Social Change Communication in the Global South (pp.229-242). Lanham: Lexington.
  4. Ndavula, J., & Lidubwi, J. (2022). Children with Disabilities in Kenyan Media: Lessons from the Abled Differently Program. In N. Berman & R. Monteleone (Ed). Disability and Social Justice in Kenya Scholars, Policymakers, and Activists in Conversation (pp.). Michigan: University of Michigan.

Papers Published

  1. Ogoti, L., Mberia, H., & Ndavula, J. (2024). Media Choice and Public Participation in the Budget Making Process for Nyeri County. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation9(2), 20–43.
  2. Kamau, F., Mberia, H., & Ndavula, J. (2023). Integrated Marketing Communication Strategies and Rebranding of Telkom Kenya. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation8(3), 36-51.
  3. Oduor, N. Mberia, H., & Ndavula, J. (2023). Betting Menace: Riddle of Television Advertising and University Students Betting Behaviour. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation 8 (2), 55-66.
  4. Ndavula, J., Gbinzaramba, E., Dau, A. D., Gubay, M., Tusiime, W. T., Beremauro, R., Murumba, S. (2023). The Forgotten: An Information Ecosystem Assessment for People with Disabilities in South Sudan. Internews.
  5. Oduor, N. Mberia, H., & Ndavula, J. (2023). Celebrity Endorsement: Television Advertisements and Sports Gambling Behaviour among University Students in Kenya. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation 8 (2), 1-17.
  6. Ndavula, O. J. & Mwangi, J. (2022). Newspaper Framing of the War on Terror and its Implications for Human Rights: The Case of Garissa Terrorist Attacks in Kenya. Journal of the Kenya National Commission for UNESCO 2(1), 1-13.
  7. Weldeghebriel, Z., Mberia, H., & Ndavula, J. (2022). Influence of Communication Structure on Employee Performance in Selected Large Manufacturing Businesses in Eritrea. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation 7 (2), 13-40.
  8. Mkamboi, A., Ndavula, J., & Mwangi, S. W. (2022). Utilizing Social Media Platforms for Online Crisis Management: Focus on Always Pads Crisis of 2019. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, Special Issue, 83-94.
  9. Ndavula, J., & Lidubwi, J. (2022). Vernacular Radio Stations and Inclusive Education in marginalized communities in Kenya. Review of Disability Studies: An International Journal, 17(4), 1-17.
  10. Elseddige, H. A., Mberia, H. K., Ndavula, J. (2021). Type of News on Political Corruption in South Sudan. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation, 6(2), 75-86.
  11. Elseddige, H. A., Mberia, H. K., Ndavula, J. (2021). Examining the prominence of the political corruption news in South Sudan. International Journal of Communication and Public Relation, 6(2), 42-53.
  12. Ndavula, J., & Lidubwi, J. (2021). Access to health information for persons with disabilities during the COVID-19 pandemic in Kenya. African Journal of Social Work, 11(4), 172-181.
  13. Njagi, A. B., & Ndavula, J. O. (2020). Influence of Organisational Strategy on Digital Transformation at Kenya Airways. IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 25(10), 48-59.
  14. Njagi, A. B., & Ndavula, J. O. (2020). Influence of Digital Technologies on Digital Transformation of Kenya Airways. International Journal of Social Science and Humanities Research, 8 (4), 159-173.
  15. Ochieng, A. A., Ndeta, W., & Ndavula, J. O. (2020). Social Media and Personal Branding of Gospel Musicians in Kenya. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 5(1), 1-28.
  16. Gitonga E. N. M., Ong’ondo, C. & Ndavula, J. O. (2020). Print Media Managers’ Perception of Integration of New Media by Newspapers in Kenya. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 4(2), 80-104.
  17. Weldeghebriel, Z. F., Mberia, H. K., & Ndavula, J. O. (2019). The Influence of Communication Climate on Employee Performance in Selected Large Manufacturing Businesses in Eritrea. The International Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 7(4), 63-69.
  18. Weldeghebriel, Z. F., Mberia, H. K., & Ndavula, J. O. (2019). Influence of Communication Patterns on Employee Performance in Selected Large Manufacturing Businesses in Eritrea. The International Journal of Humanities and Social Studies, 7(5), 24-31.      
  19. Ndavula, J. & Lungahi, E. (2018). The role of vernacular radio in climate change information dissemination in semi-arid areas in Kenya. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 3(1), 1-20.
  20. Wacheke, T., Ndavula, & J. Koome, P. (2018). Relevance of Vernacular Radio Stations’ Agricultural Programs in Utilization of Agricultural Information among Farmers in Molo Sub County, Nakuru Kenya. Scholars Bulletin, 628-635, DOI: 10.21276/sb.2018.4.7.12
  21. Munuku, A. W., Mberia, H., & Ndavula, J. O. (2017). Influence of framing of the hashtag on public opinion formation on sociopolitical issues in Kenya. Journal of Communication and Public Relation, 2(2), 70-88.
  22. Munuku, A. W., Mberia, H., & Ndavula, J. O. (2017). Influence of the hashtag context on public opinion formation on sociopolitical issues in Kenya. Journal of Public Policy and Administration, 2(3), 27-51.
  23. Ndavula, J. O. & Lidubwi J. U. (2016). Representation of students with disability in the media: The case of Abled Differently television programme. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 1(2), 1-16.
  24. Ndavula, J. O. (2016). Social Media adoption as alternative platforms for political marketing in Kenya. African Multidisciplinary Journal of Research, 1(1), 1-16
  25. Ndavula, J. O., Mberia, H. K., & Mwangi, M. K. (2015). Online campaign in Kenya: Implementing the Facebook campaign in the 2013 general elections. International Journal of Education and Research, 3(7), 255-266
  26. Ndavula, J. O. & Mueni, J. (2014). New Media and Political Marketing in Kenya: The Case of 2013 General Elections. International Journal of Arts and Commerce, 3(6), 69-84
  27. Ndavula, J. O. & Mberia, H. K. (2012). Social Networking Sites in Kenya: Trigger for Non-Institutionalized Democratic Participation. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 3(13), 300-306.
  28. Ndavula, J. O. & Agufana, P. B. (2011). Challenges Affecting the Effective Implementation of Vocational Education Program in Youth Polytechnics in Kenya. Journal of Technology and Socio-Economic Development, 1(1), 254-260.

Fiction Published

  1. Ndavula, J. O. (2019). Smart Sidi and Tina. Nairobi: Longhorn
  2. Ndavula, J. O. (2019). Smart Sidi and the Birthday Cake. Nairobi: Longhorn
  3. Ndavula, J. O. (2019). Smart Sidi and the Bicycle Race. Nairobi: Longhorn
  4. Ndavula, J. (Winter 2018). First Winter. Blue Fifth Review. 18.10
  5. Obwavo, J. (2015). The chicken thieves. Kikwetu: A Journal of East African Literature, 1(1).