Professor Daniel Ochieng’ Olago

Prof. Daniel Ochieng’ Olago is a Professor of Geology and the Director of the Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation (ICCA) at the University of Nairobi. He is a globally respected expert in climate resilience, adaptation systems, water security, and environmental change, with over 25 years of experience spanning research, policy advisory, capacity building, and high-level consultancy across sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

A Rhodes Scholar (Kenya, 1990), Prof. Olago holds a D.Phil. in Physical Geography from the University of Oxford. His work focuses on understanding climate risks and translating science into practical, systems-based adaptation solutions for infrastructure, water resources, ecosystems, and vulnerable communities.

Prof. Olago has led and coordinated major international climate and resilience programmes funded by the European Union, Global Centre on Adaptation, UK-GCRF, DFID, DAAD, IUCN, WHO, and other global partners. He is currently the Principal Investigator for several flagship initiatives on climate services, nature-based solutions, resilient infrastructure, groundwater sustainability, and urban water resilience in Kenya and the wider East African region.

In addition to his academic leadership, Prof. Olago has provided consultancy services to governments, development partners, and private sector actors on climate change adaptation, environmental impact assessments, natural resource management, and resilience planning. He is a registered Lead Expert with NEMA and a Registered Geologist in Kenya.

As Team Lead for this course, Prof. Olago brings a unique ability to connect climate science, systems thinking, policy, and implementation, equipping participants with a holistic understanding of how to design, finance, and deliver effective climate resilience interventions