Prof. Esther Kioko is a principal research scientist in entomology focusing on insect systematics, ecology, and the intersection of biodiversity, livelihoods, environment, and sustainable development. She is a passionate advocate for conservation and currently the co-chair,  IUCN  SSC Kenya Species Specialist Group.

Prior to her current positions, she was a Research Scientist in the Commercial Insects Programme at the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology in Kenya. With a long-standing interest in museum collections, she has led efforts in their digitisation, and in the assessment of insect pollinator species diversity data in East Africa.

Prof. Kioko is a jury member for the ICOM Award for Sustainable Development Practice in Museums 2025.