Following the completion of his doctoral studies, Prof. Michieka got a postdoctoral research position at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) Ibadan, Nigeria.
He collaborated with an international team of scientists on projects aimed at improving crop yields in smallholder farming systems in the humid and sub-humid tropics.
Despite his busy schedule, Prof. Michieka enjoys writing, reading and occasionally playing golf in his club – Kabete VET Lab.
His visionary leadership, scholarly achievements and unwavering dedication have cemented his legacy as a transformative figure in the realm of Kenyan and East African STI.
In recognition of his exceptional achievements, he was awarded the prestigious Shining Star (SS), Elder of Burning Spear (EBS), Fellow of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences and later a Distinguished Alumni of Rutgers University.
They include the following: • Founding Vice Chancellor of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) • Chairman of the Kenyatta University Council • Director General of the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) • Member of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) • Chairman of the Inter-University Council of East Africa (IUCEA) • Member of University Science, Humanities and Engineering Partnerships in Africa (USHEPIA) • Member of The International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA) • Chairman, Kenya Education Network (KENET) • Founding Chairman of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC-AU) • Chairman of the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI, now KALRO) • Founder and Chairman of the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) • Chair of the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) • Council Member of the Kenya Institute of Management (KIM) • Board Member of the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KEMFRI) • Commissioner of the Commission for Higher Education (CHE) current Commission for University Education (CUE) • Member, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Weed Specialist Committee • Member, Compliance Committee of the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC • Council member of National Council for Science and Technology (NCST) current National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI) • Patron of JICA Ex-Participants Alumni of Kenya (JEPAK) • Patron of Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Students, Upper Kabete Campus, University of Nairobi.
Other notable achievements include producing the first State of the Environment (SOE) publication for NEMA and addressing environmental pollution and degradation in Kenya.
At the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Prof. Michieka served as an advisor and consultant, contributing to various environmental programs and initiatives aimed at promoting sustainable development globally specifically in drafting the Montreal Protocol on Access to Benefit Sharing of Resources (ABS).
Prof. Michieka has been involved in various projects under the ASRIC-EU framework, enhancing research and innovation in agriculture and environmental sciences and promoting the STI Africa Agenda 2063.