Egerton University mourns the passing of Professor Catherine Wawasi J. Kitetu on 12 July 2026, a distinguished scholar, accomplished administrator, inspiring mentor, and visionary leader whose remarkable service to the University and the nation spanned more than three decades.
Professor Kitetu dedicated her career to advancing knowledge, nurturing generations of students and scholars, and strengthening higher education through exemplary leadership, academic excellence, and unwavering integrity. A graduate of the University of Nairobi, the University of East Anglia, and Lancaster University, she earned international recognition for her scholarship in linguistics, language, gender, culture, and education. Her research significantly enriched African scholarship and influenced discourse on language, communication, gender, and cultural studies both locally and globally.
Throughout her distinguished career, Professor Kitetu served Egerton University with exceptional commitment. As Chairperson of the Department of Languages and Linguistics, a member of the University Senate, and a key contributor to major institutional initiatives, including the establishment of the Chuka Campus and the management of the University's double-intake programme, she played a pivotal role in strengthening the University's academic and administrative foundations.
Beyond the University, Professor Kitetu exemplified servant leadership in public and professional service. She served as a County Executive Committee Member in the Nakuru County Government, a member of the Governing Council of the Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA), including as Director of its Gender Institute, and a member of the Council of Scott Christian University. In every role, she distinguished herself through professionalism, strategic leadership, inclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to excellence and social transformation.
To her students, Professor Kitetu was an exceptional teacher and mentor who inspired intellectual curiosity, critical thinking, and lifelong learning. To her colleagues, she was a trusted friend, respected academic, and valued source of counsel. To the wider university community, she remained a steadfast advocate for quality education, research excellence, gender equity, African languages, and institutional development.
While her earthly journey has come to an end, Professor Kitetu's enduring legacy lives on through the countless students she mentored, the scholarship she produced, the institutions she strengthened, and the lives she transformed. Her contributions will continue to inspire future generations of scholars, leaders, and public servants.
As the Egerton University community mourns this profound loss, we also celebrate a life distinguished by exceptional service, intellectual achievement, and unwavering dedication to humanity. We extend our heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, former students, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working with her.
May the Almighty God grant her family strength and comfort during this difficult time, and may the soul of Professor Catherine Wawasi J. Kitetu rest in eternal peace. Her life was a blessing, her memory a treasure, and her legacy will forever remain an enduring source of inspiration.
