aPPLY
Dean, School of Science and Technology
Associate Prof of Statistics & Data Science

Gabriel Okello, PhD

Prof. Gabriel Otieno Okello is an Associate Professor of Statistics and Data Science at the School of Science and Technology, Department of Data Science and Analytics, and the current Dean School of Science and Technology. He is the Coordinator of the Data Science Programs (Bachelor’s and Master’s) as well as the founder of the Bachelor of Science in Data Science and Analytics program at the university, one of the pioneering data science programs in Kenya. He is also a senior statistics and data science consultant, and has published several articles in journals both locally and internationally together with University level books. He is also an expert in Data Science, Statistics, Application of AI to solve real-world problems, Data Analytics using R, Python, Power BI, SQL, SPSS, STATA, Excel, Nvivo, Atlas.ti. Prof. Okello has certification in bio-ethics and is a reviewer for Institutional Review Board. He has undertaken various consultancies as: Project Team Leader, Consulting Data Specialist, Consulting Statistician, Lead Consultant (Researcher) and Co-Researcher. He has also supervised several Masters and PhD students including fostering the next generation of scholars and professionals in data science and statistics. He is a member of USIU-A Institutional Review Board (IRB), International Biometric Society (IBS) – Kenya, International Society for Clinical Biostatistics (ISCB), American Evaluation Association (AEA) and Canadian Journal of Program Evaluation (CJPE) E-Learning Editor His research interests are in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Data Analytics, Mathematical Modelling and Multidisciplinary Research.
Email Address

gokello@usiu.ac.ke

Location

Nairobi, Kenya

ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

  • Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biostatistics, Moi University
  • Masters of Science in Management and Organizational Development, United States International University – Africa
  • Master of Science in Research Methods, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology
  • Master of Science Biometry (Biostatistics), University of Nairobi
  • B Ed. Sc (Double Mathematics), Egerton University

COURSES TAUGHT

  • Introduction to Data Science
  • Business Statistics
  • Statistical Modelling
  • Business Analytics
  • Statistical Computing and Programming

PUBLICATIONS

University Level Books

Journal Publications

  • Okello GO. An Early Warning Detection System for At Risk Students. Research Article on Progress to be to Computers & Education Journal (2026)
  • Okello GO. A Recommender System Approach for Students Drop Out Prediction. Research Article on Progress to be Submitted to Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence (2026)
  • Okello GO. Predicting University Students Progression Using Deep Learning. Research Article on Progress to be Submitted to Applied Artificial Intelligence (2026)
  • Omanyo J, Rumo J, Okello G (2026). Learning management system quality and sustainability in higher education institutions: a multi-group analysis using PLS-SEM. Education Innovations: Systems and Future Learning 1(1), 57-76, https://doi.org/10.1108/EISFL-08-2025-0004
  • Kwarase P., Amrein-Beardsley A., Wambua P., Duong B., Akumu K., Olemo C., Okello G., Njuguna A., Boyce A., Kim M., Silova I., Nielson A. Resilient, High-Quality, and Inclusive E-learning: A Participatory, Large-Scale Examination of a Multinational E-Learning Initiative. Submitted to Educational Technology Research and Development (2025)
  • Ogwel B, Mzazi VH, Awuor AO, Otieno G, Ogolla S, Nyawanda BO, Omore R. A Quarter-Century of Synthetic Data in Healthcare: Unveiling Trends with Structural Topic Modeling. medRxiv, 2025.03. 30.25324911
  • Ogwel, B., Ochieng, J.B., Parashar, U.D., Omore, R., Tate, J.E., Mzazi, V., Awuor, A.O., Onyando, B., Okello, C., Juma, J., Otieno, G. Thematic and Geographic Evolution of Rotavirus Vaccination Research (2004–2024): A Structural Topic Modeling Study. Available at SSRN: http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5393007
  • Ogwel, B., Mzazi, V., Nyawanda, B., Otieno, G., Tickell, K., Omore, R. A (2024). Machine Learning Approach to Predicting Inpatient Mortality among Pediatric Acute Gastroenteritis Patients in Kenya. Learning Health Systems, e10478.
  • Mbatia BN, Ndegwa JW, Okello G. Integration of Technology in Content Development for Effective Online Teaching in Private Universities in Kenya. Pan-African Journal of Education and Social Sciences, 2023.
  • Ogwel B, Mzazi V, Nyawanda B, Otieno G, Omore R: Predictive Modelling for Diarrheal Disease: A Systematic Review. Learning Health Systems, 2023.
  • Ogwel B, Odhiambo-Otieno G, Otieno G, Abila J, Omore R. Leveraging cloud computing for improved health service delivery: Findings from public health facilities in Kisumu County, Western Kenya – 2019. Learn Health Sys. 2022;e10276, 1 -10.
  • Ogwel B, Odhiambo-Otieno G, Otieno G, Abila J, Omore R. Leveraging cloud computing for improved health service delivery: Findings from public health facilities in Kisumu County, Western Kenya – 2019. Learn Health Sys. 2021;e10276, 1 -10.
  • Ndiege JRA, Otieno G, Wamuyu PK. Cyberbullying in Universities in Developing Countries: The Kenyan perspective. The African Journal of Information Systems 2020, 12(1) 2
  • Ndiege JR, Otieno G. Towards Information Security Savvy Students in Institutions of Higher Learning in Africa: A Case of a University in Kenya. In the IST-Africa 2018 Conference Proceedings
  • Ndiege JR, Otieno G. Information security awareness amongst students joining higher academic institutions in developing countries: Evidence from Kenya, The African Journal of Information Systems 2018, 10 (3)
  • Otieno G, Koske JK, Mutiso JM. Transmission Dynamics and Optimal Control of Malaria in Kenya. Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, 2016
  • Otieno G, Koske JK, Mutiso JM. Cost Effectiveness Analysis of Optimal Malaria Control Strategies in Kenya. Mathematics 2016, 4(1), 14 ; doi:10.3390/math4010014
  • Zurovac D, Memusi D, Kigen S, Machini B, Muturi A, Otieno G, Snow RW, Githinji S, Nyandigisi A. Major improvements in the quality of malaria case-management under the “test and treat” policy in Kenya. PLoS ONE 2014, 9(3): e92782. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0092782
  • Otieno G, Githinji S, Jones C, Snow RW, Talisuna A, Zurovac D. The feasibility, patterns of use and acceptability of using mobile phone text-messaging to improve treatment adherence and post-treatment review of children with uncomplicated malaria in western Kenya. Malaria Journal 2014, 13:14. doi:10.1186/1475-2875-13-44
  • Otieno G, Waititu AG, Salifu D. Generalized Estimating Equations for Repeated Measures Logistic Regression in Mosquito Dose-Response. Open Journal of Statistics 2013, 3:293-298. http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ojs.2013.35034.
  • Zurovac D, Otieno G, Kigen S, Mbithi A, Muturi A, Snow R, Nyandigisi A. Ownership and use of mobile phones among health workers, caregivers of sick children and adult patients in Kenya: cross-sectional national survey. Globalization and Health 2013, 9:20 doi:10.1186/1744-8603-9-20.
  • Machini B, Kigen S, Memusi D, Mbithi A, Kimbui R, Muturi A, Agwa N, Otieno G, Githinji S, Zurovac D, Nyandigisi A. Monitoring outpatient malaria case management under the 2010 diagnostic and treatment policy in Kenya- brief progress report. Division of Malaria Control, Ministry of Public Health and Sanitation, February 2013