The African Academy of Sciences (AAS) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Professor Raphael Munavu, an AAS Fellow and member of the Governing Council. He passed away on 26 April 2026.
Professor Munavu was elected an AAS Fellow in 2012 and dedicated the last three years (2023–2026) to serving as a member of the AAS Governing Council. In this role, he was instrumental in providing strategic thinking and strategic direction for the Academy, and to make policies that guide the operations of the Academy;
He guided the AAS through significant developments and was an ardent supporter of good governance. His strong principles and aspirations are reflected in the Academy’s efforts to build a better Africa and contribute to a better world.
Professor Munavu was a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Nairobi; a Director at the National Commission for Science, Technology and Innovation (NACOSTI); and Chairman of the Konza Technopolis Development Authority (KoTDA). He served as Chairman of the Presidential Working Party on Education Reform (PWPER) from 29 September 2022 to 1 August 2023.
He previously served as Chairman of the Kenya National Academy of Sciences (2002–2021), Chancellor of Laikipia University (2013–2018), and Commissioner at the Commission on Revenue Allocation (2010–2016).
Professor Munavu obtained a B.A. from Kalamazoo College in 1970, an M.Sc. from Wayne State University in 1972, and a Ph.D. from University of Detroit in 1975. His specialization was in organic, environmental, and industrial chemistry.
He joined the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in 1976 and went on to publish over 90 refereed and commissioned papers, while supervising more than 20 postgraduate students. He wrote extensively on the role of higher education, chemistry, science, technology, and innovation in socio-economic development and undertook numerous consultancies on the environmental impacts of natural resource utilization.
His academic leadership roles included serving as Vice Chancellor of Moi University (1998–2002), Deputy Vice Chancellor at the University of Nairobi (1994–1998) and Egerton University (1992–1994), founding Principal of Laikipia College of Egerton University (1990–1992), and Dean of the Faculty of Science at the University of Nairobi (1987–1990).
Between 2000 and 2010, he served as Chairman of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), a member of the Public Universities Inspection Board, and contributed to the Strategy for University Education in Kenya. He also served as the founding Chairman of the Council of the South Eastern University College (SEUCO) from 2008 to 2013.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Professor Munavu was conferred with national honours, including the Order of the Grand Warrior (1994) and Elder of the Burning Spear (2001). He also received an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters (D.Litt., honoris causa) from Kalamazoo College in 2000 and an Honorary Doctor of Science degree from Laikipia University in 2013.
Professor Munavu’s social vision was to serve society by facilitating wealth creation, empowerment, and capacity building through education, national heritage, indigenous knowledge, science, and technology. He championed value-adding enterprises based on readily available natural resources and human capacity in Kenya.
The African Academy of Sciences remembers him for his immense contribution to the growth of the Academy. The Academy continues to mourn this great loss and extends its deepest condolences to his family, colleagues, and all those whose lives he touched.