About the HoD

Dr. Thaisaiyi Zephania Opati has served as the Acting Dean and Senior Lecturer at the School of Business at Riara University since February 2024, where he has made invaluable contributions to the institution’s growth and development.

A distinguished academic and professional in the field of marketing, Dr. Opati holds a PhD in Marketing from St. Paul’s University, Kenya, an MBA in Strategic Marketing Management from Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia, and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Maseno University, Kenya. He also serves as a Trainer of Trainers in Entrepreneurial Design Thinking at the University of Landau-Koblenz in Germany. Further enhancing his qualifications, Dr. Opati has obtained an International Computer Driving License from Maseno University and training in learner-centered pedagogical approaches at Riara University.

Dr. Opati is an active member of both the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Academy of International Business, having contributed to the latter’s African chapter electoral committee. He also serves as an external examiner for the University of the Witwatersrand and is a member of the Board of New Hope Outreach Ministries in Madaraka, Nairobi Kenya. His academic excellence has been recognized through multiple honors, including receiving the Excellence Award as the top MBA student from the Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Mara, Malaysia. He is also a prestigious Commonwealth Scholar, becoming the ninth Kenyan recipient of this award.

Dr. Opati joined Riara University in 2015 as a Lecturer in Business Administration and has played a key role in the institution’s growth. He served as Head of Department and Lecturer from May 2017 to February 2024. Alongside his work at Riara University, Dr. Opati has taught as an Adjunct Lecturer at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Egerton University, and the Institute of Advanced Technology, affiliated with Maseno University. He also began his career as a College Tutor at Carlile College Church Army in Nairobi.

Dr. Opati’s professional experience extends beyond academia. He has worked as a Consultant and Business Writer for organizations such as Global Village Publishers, the Marketing Society of Kenya’s Sokoni Magazine, and The African Executive. Additionally, he served as Programmes Manager for Marketing and Partnerships at Farm Concern International and worked as a Policy Developer for the United Nations Volunteer Program in Bangladesh. In 2023, Dr. Opati mentored two students who reached the finals of the Uni-Innovators competition, where they placed third and sixth. His mentorship played a pivotal role in securing additional funding and guidance for their projects, including a trip to Germany.

At Riara University, Dr. Opati plays an active role in several key committees, including serving as a member of the Strategic Planning Committee, the Quality Control Audit Committee, the Admissions Committee, and the Library Advisory Committee. He has also participated in ISO 9001:2015 training to support the university’s quality assurance initiatives. Dr. Opati has been ranked among Kenya’s top researchers by the Kenya Scientist and University Rankings, according to the AD Scientific Index, and was selected as a Blended Learning Champion, playing a key role in Riara University’s transition to online education.

Dr. Opati has authored two books: The Terrorist in the Boardroom (2014) and Personal Branding – King Solomon Way (2012), and has edited one book. He has contributed to several significant publications, including chapters in books such as Employing Artificial Intelligence and Algorithms in the Digital Lending Industry and The Why and the Wherefores: A Case for Consumerism in the Marketing of Digital Loans, co-edited with Dr. Martin Kang’ethe Gachukia. His work also appears in journals and renowned publications such as Business Daily, The Marketing Society of Kenya “Sokoni” Magazine, The Diplomat East Africa, The Africa Executive, and Kenya Export Promotion Council Magazine. His PhD dissertation focused on “Customer Dispositions, Enablers, and Sociocultural Factors Influencing Toothpaste Brand Loyalty among Millennials in Kenyan Private Universities,” and his MBA thesis examined the strategic fit of diversification for Kentucky Fried Chicken and Pizza Hut’s outlets in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

An active participant in conferences and workshops, Dr. Opati chaired the ICED24 Conference in June 2024 at UISU, centered on “The Elements of Ecosystems That Support Learning for the Future.” He has also presented papers at notable conferences such as the St. Paul’s University Annual International Research Conference (SPUAIRC) in 2023, where he discussed consumer dispositions and the impact of consumer socialization on brand loyalty. Additionally, Dr. Opati has presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting Conference and JIBS Paper Development Workshop organized by the Academy of International Business (AIB) in Dubai, and the AIB Sub-Saharan Chapter conference at Lagos Business School in Nigeria.

Through his dedication to teaching, research, and mentorship, Dr. Opati continues to make meaningful contributions to the field of marketing and education.