Samuel Mbuku studied animal sciences at Egerton University, Kenya. He specialised in animal breeding and genetics with emphasises on conservation and utility of indigenous livestock genetic resources.

From 2007 to present, he is a research officer working with Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI), Nairobi, Kenya. He was posted to the National Beef Research Centre where from July 2007 to July 2009, he had been the co-ordinator of the livestock research programme. From August 2009, Samuel Mbuku was awarded a PhD fellowship under the ‘Cross-continental network for sustainable adaptation of grassland systems vulnerable to climate change (GrassNet)’ project with funds from German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), Germany, a position he currently holds.