On the 30 th of December 2023, we received the sad message that our Kenyan colleague, Kennedy Kaminju Kariuki died on December 28 in the NW hospital in Nairobi at the age of 35 years from organ and heart failure. Kennedy was a PhD candidate at the CML, Leiden University.
Kennedy was supervised by Prof. Geert de Snoo, Prof. Hans de Iongh and Dr. Laura Bertola
who are all very shocked by this news.
Kennedy was born on 5 November 1988 in Kericho, Kenya. After his primary and secondary
education in Kenya, he was accepted for a Master of Biology ‘Biodiversity Conservation and
Restoration’ at the University of Antwerp in 2018, via a Mastermind scholarship from the
Flemish government.
During his master’s studies, Kennedy completed several compulsory as well as elective
courses, and enrolled in two internships and a research project, over a period of two years. His
research project was on human-wildlife conflicts in the Meru Conservation Area (MCA) in
Kenya.
Kennedy distinguished himself with an exceptionally well-prepared project on the Ecology
and Conservation of the African lion (Panthera leo) in the Meru Conservation Area (MCA),
Kenya. In 2020, Kennedy received his Master’s degree from the University of Antwerp.
In 2022, he was accepted for a PhD study on ‘Implications of translocating lions into the
Meru Conservation area as a human-wildlife management tool’ at Leiden University.
Kennedy visited the CML in Leiden in January 2023 and was working on several publications
on human-lion conflcits around Meru National Park in Kenya.
We knew Kennedy as a dedicated colleague with a gentle and caring personality, who was
very loyal in his friendships and collaborations. One of his great passions was filming the
African nature and he made several documentaries about African wildlife. As a fellow of
African Conservation Voices and a National Geographic explorer he was able to share his
passion and views with the general public.
We will remember Kennedy as a very passionate African conservationist and promising
scientist, who may be an inspiration for many young African students. Rest in Peace
Kennedy.
In order to support the family of Kennedy to cover the costs of the funeral and medical costs,
friends ands colleagues started a fundrasing campaign.
If you are willing to contribute you can get access via this link.
It’s unimaginable that young, dedicated conservationists are taken away from their families and from the very nature they fight for. It’s heartbreaking. I’m sending my condoleances and my feelings of support to his family and friends. His spirit remains among us.
Bye bye kariuki dance with angels on your way
Your mum and I loved you so much but for sure we now know God loved you much more and for this reason He took you home a little earlier rest in peace our son.