Dr. Pauline Gitonga

Dr. Pauline Gitonga is the Founder and Managing Director of ASAL eXtension Ltd, where she provides strategic and technical leadership in transforming animal health systems and enhancing sustainable livelihoods in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). With over 15 years of experience in pastoral livestock health, she is widely recognized for her expertise in delivering community-driven, evidence-based solutions across Kenya and the Horn of Africa. Under her direction, ASAL eXtension has implemented high-impact programs in collaboration with institutions such as AU-IBAR, FAO, IGAD, Colorado State University, and county governments. She has led multi-county initiatives on disease surveillance, livestock value chain analysis, and capacity building, including developing widely used veterinary handbooks and extension manuals tailored to local contexts. Dr. Gitonga’s approach blends technical rigor with effective governance, ensuring that ASAL eXtension’s interventions are participatory, locally grounded, and aligned with long-term development goals. Her ability to forge strong institutional partnerships and lead complex, multi-stakeholder projects ensures that ASAL eXtension remains a driving force in sustainable dryland development.