The funeral service for Dr. Lusike A. Wasilwa was a powerful testament to her profound impact, drawing heartfelt eulogies from family, colleagues, and community leaders who celebrated her legacy as a titan of African agriculture and a woman of immense warmth.

Dr. Wasilwa’s family shared deeply personal stories that painted a picture of a guiding light and an anchor of support.

Her sister, Jane, spoke of Dr. Wasilwa’s incredible intellectual capacity, noting the extraordinary feat of earning two Ph.D.s—one in crop systems and another in horticulture. Jane also fondly recalled Lusike’s visionary, innovative spirit, including her dream of creating “BlackBena,” a natural Ribena-like juice from indigenous African fruits, showcasing her vision for African-led innovation.

Her father, Eng. Festus Wasilwa, described his daughter as his “little girl, my pride, my joy,” noting that she inherited the values of excellence, integrity, and efficiency from him, and a spirit of kindness and generosity from her mother.

Her brother, Victor, remembered her as “more than a sister… a mentor, a source of strength, and a guiding light.”

The impact of her mentorship was tearfully underscored by her niece, Dr. Timina Akinyi Wasilwa, who stated, “because of her I am the doctor I am today,” a testament to Lusike’s boundless generosity and commitment to nurturing the next generation. Dr. Wasilwa was known for inspiring her beloved nieces, often taking them to professional meetings to expose them to the world of science.

Political and community leaders eulogized Dr. Wasilwa, reflecting on her impact as a top scientist, supportive neighbor, and pillar of the community.

Dr. Eseli Simiyu, a former area Member of Parliament and a farmer, offered a particularly heartfelt tribute. He acknowledged Dr. Wasilwa as the key to his own success in agriculture, stating that it was “because of Dr. Lusike that he was able to commence his journey in agriculture, having invested heavily with her guidance.”

Hon. Mwambu Mabonga, the Chair of the Non-Governmental Organizations Board, celebrated Dr. Wasilwa as a great neighbor and a staunch supporter of community initiatives, sharing the poignant detail that he had held a conversation with her just the day before she passed away.

Hon. Didimus Barasa, the Member of Parliament for Kimilili, delivered an emotional eulogy underscoring the vital need for parents to support their children and provide them with an environment that allows them to excel in their callings.

Hon. John Waluke, the Member of Parliament for Sirisia and Chair of the Western Kenya Caucus of Parliamentarians, described his closeness with the Wasilwa family and used the occasion to urge mourners to nurture good behavior in their children. (His tribute briefly took a political turn, asserting a political view that led to some heckling, demonstrating her wide-reaching influence across different spheres of life).

The funeral service, a celebration of a life well-lived, was led by the General Superintendent of the Ndalu region of the Quaker Church.

The passing of Dr. Lusike A. Wasilwa on September 20, 2025, at the age of 62, marked the end of a remarkable career and an extraordinary life dedicated to science, leadership, and service. Born on June 22, 1963, in Nakuru County, Kenya, Dr. Wasilwa, the second born daughter to the late Damaris Kinavadoli Wasilwa and Engineer Festus Wasilwa, grew to become one of Africa’s most distinguished agricultural scientists. Her journey, rooted in determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence, ultimately shaped policy and enriched the livelihoods of countless smallholder farmers across the continent.

Lusike’s intellectual curiosity and drive were evident from her earliest school days in Nairobi, beginning at Oral Drummonds Nursery School and Nairobi Primary School. Her academic rigor quickly secured her admission to Kenya High School, one of the nation’s premier national schools, where she excelled and served as a prefect—an opportunity that honed the leadership skills that would define her professional life. Her determination was a constant trait, enabling her to rise as a true system thinker and a leader capable of architecting a comprehensive research agenda for an entire nation.

Her passion for improving community lives took firm root during her undergraduate years at the University of Eastern Africa, Baraton (1982–1985), where she pursued a degree in Agriculture. Earning a place on the prestigious Dean’s List of Excellence, she discovered her deep passion for Horticulture while working on a project training local farmers to establish small kitchen gardens, cementing her desire to improve the lives of rural farmers.

Driven by a thirst for knowledge, Lusike secured a graduate assistantship in the United States, obtaining a Master’s in Horticulture (1989–1992) followed by a Ph.D. in Plant Science (1993–1997) from the University of Arkansas. Her doctoral research broke new ground in understanding anthracnose disease in cucurbits. She further deepened her expertise through a postdoctoral fellowship at Rutgers University, New Jersey (1998–2002), specializing in blueberry and cranberry diseases and gaining expertise in cutting-edge molecular plant pathology techniques.

Dr. Wasilwa’s professional career, spanning nearly four decades, began at the Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI). Recruited as a plant pathologist at the National Horticultural Research Centre in Thika, she worked directly with farmers, developing a deep, practical understanding of local contexts.

Upon completion of her post-graduate studies, she rejoined KARI, rising through the ranks from a program officer to Assistant Director in the Horticulture and Industrial Crops Division. This pivotal role placed her at the center of research for Kenya’s vital horticulture sector, where she led in defining research priorities for an array of fruits, vegetables, and high-value horticultural crops.

Her career culminated in 2015 with her appointment as Director of Crop Systems at the Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), a position she held until her passing. This role was transformative, positioning her at the forefront of policy-making and allowing her to weave a systems-based, resilience-focused vision into the DNA of Kenya’s premier agricultural research body.

Lusike’s influence extended across Africa and beyond. She served on multiple committees for organizations like the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Her long-term engagement with the USAID’s Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture, where she eventually served as the Chair of the International Advisory Board, was instrumental in guiding international research-for-development programs to ensure relevance and impact in partner countries like Kenya.

Dr. Wasilwa’s most profound impact can be seen in the lasting improvements to the lives of smallholder farmers. She championed the development of 11 macadamia farmer-led seed enterprises, promoted indigenous vegetables and underutilized fruit and nut varieties, and pioneered breeding programs for crops like guava and gooseberry. A prolific writer, she authored and co-authored over 100 scientific articles. More than that, she was a builder, helping establish strategic projects like the East Africa Regional Centre for Horticulture Innovation and Kenya’s first Horticulture Practical Training Centre.

Among her most cherished achievements was her unwavering commitment to mentoring the next generation. As a pioneer fellow and later a mentor in the AWARD fellowship program, she nurtured and inspired countless young professionals in the agriculture sector and beyond.

Her service and excellence were formally recognized with multiple accolades, including three medals from the International Society for Horticultural Science and the USAID/CAADP Champion for Change Award in 2011.

Dr. Wasilwa embodied the values of excellence, integrity, and service, believing in science as a tool for transforming lives and uplifting communities. After a period of illness with Sjögren’s Syndrome, she passed away, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to flourish for generations to come.

As her family and the global agricultural community mourn, they are confident that her life—a beacon of inspiration, vision, and commitment—will forever remind them that one dedicated individual can profoundly shape national policy, advance research, and uplift the livelihoods of countless farmers and families.