Support Kamoya Kimeu’s medical and funeral bill.

Kamoya Kimeu- medical and funeral appeal

Some very sad news just received from Kamoya Kimeu’s daughter, Jennifer Kamoya, who has informed me that Kamoya Kimeu has just passed away.

He was admitted to hospital in Nairobi two weeks ago, with complications in kidney function. Kamoya's family have sadly incurred a debilitating medical bill, and it is my hope that those who knew Kamoya and who appreciate his many contributions to understanding our past, can help me to raise some support for the family to clear the debt. I will pass this on to them as it comes in.

We are appealing to friends and well-wishers, to those who knew Kamoya personally or who appreciate his many contributions to understanding our past, to make any contribution, large or small, that can help support the family to clear the debt.

As I am in the field at Turkana and unable to access banking and make transfers, I have asked Lawrence Martin, Director of Turkana Basin Institute, to receive the funds raised on behalf of the family and make the transfers to the hospital and family as per their wishes.

Kamoya was a fossil hunting legend. He worked extensively in the Turkana Basin from 1968 through to his retirement in 1993. His most remarkable find was that of the Turkana Boy skeleton, from Nariokotome, in 1983. This iconic, 1.6 million-year-old Homo erectus skeleton was highly significant due to its completeness. Nothing like it has ever been found since in east Africa. His many other discoveries have contributed enormously to the understanding of human prehistory.

Kamoya was recently awarded an honorary degree from Case Western University, in recognition of his major contribution to the field of paleoanthropology. He worked with both Louis and Mary Leakey at Olduvai and went on to explore the Turkana Basin and managed the field teams between 1969 and the year 2000.

Always with a jovial smile, positive attitude and extraordinary resolve to get through difficult situations, his perseverance and leadership led to the many important fossil discoveries both of animals and hominins at Lake Turkana. He was a mentor to many who have followed in his path. He will be greatly missed.

Kamoya leaves his wife, Mary Mbiki Kamoya and children- Steve Kamoya, Boniface Kamoya, Jacinta Syokau, John Kilonzo, Jenniffer Mwelu and Nicholas Makau.

Please share this as widely as possible. Your support is most appreciated.

Louise Leakey

(With the blessing of Kamoyas family)