Holds a PhD in Veterinary Public Health. He worked at the University of Nairobi (1988-2023) as a member of staff in the Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Associate Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation (2011-2023). He was also the Chairman of the Department of Public Health Pharmacology and Toxicology, Director of International Programs and Links where he initiated and spearheaded development of various policy documents, notably policy on dual degree programs. His research interest and training of students is largely in trans-disciplinary studies; public health, environment, climate change domains.

Prof Ogara has been a consultant for number of government departments and organisations including the African Institute for Development Policy-AFIDEP, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine/Ministries of Health and Agriculture, African Bioenergy Program Ltd, OXFAM, ADESO, FAO-ECTAD, Earthwatch Institute-Boston, NEMA, UNDP, GEF among others. He has been engaged in professional leadership in various capacities: Chairman Kenya Veterinary Board Special Committee on Technical Education and Quality Assurance (TeCEQA), Chairman and Secretary Kenya Veterinary Association, Vice Chairman of the Professional Societies of East Africa (APSEA), Regional Representative of Eastern and Southern Africa to the Executive Committee of the Commonwealth Veterinary Association, Member of the Board of Directors of Kenya Tsetse and Trypanosomiasis Eradication Council.