In Memoriam Kennedy Kaminju Kariuki 05/11/1988- 28/12/2023
On the 30th of December, we received the sad message that our Kenyan colleague, Kennedy Kaminju Kariuki died on December 28, 2023 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 took compulsory courses, elective courses, 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.
Kennedy had a very gentle personality and he was very loyal in his friendships and collaborations. One of his great passions was filming the African nature and he made several nature documentaries about African wildlife. He was a fellow of African Conservation Voices and a National Geographic explorer.
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.