In memoriam
CABI Africa, Kenya Station
FISNA Executive Committee member
It is with great sorrow that we would like to inform the members of the sudden loss of one of our great FISNA executive committee member, the Late Mr. Walter Okello Ogutu of CABI Africa - Kenya Station. Lovely Walter met his death through a fatal car accident while undertaking his Ph.D. field work on the invasive Prosopis species in the costal region of Kenya - Malindi, on the 26th June 2007. We will miss his great contributions to the Network and his wealth of experience in the area he was doing his studies. He was buried on Saturday 7 July 2007 at his rural home in western Kenya.
May the almighty God rest his soul in eternal peace.
I am deeply grieved to learn this morning of the passing away of Walter Ogutu in Kenya in a road accident. The news has come as a great shock to me and the head of FRIM. Walter was a personal great friend of us, always smiling and supportive. He was a FISNA stalwart and an uncompromising supporter of the network. He was there and was key when the decision to revitalise the original network and form FISNA was being made in Kumasi, Ghana some three years ago. He has been a very active Executive Committee member of FISNA who has positively contributed greatly to the activities and image of FISNA. I recall his many efforts to win support for FISNA through concept development and at various fora. His death is indeed a big loss for Africa, CABI, FISNA and a huge minus to our concerted fight against forest invasive species in Africa.
Please convey heartfelt condolences from me personally and from FISNA to Walter's family members and CABI. As we go through this tragic period, I pray that God gives us all the strength to overcome the hardship.
Dr Clement Z Chilima (FISNA Secretariat, Malawi)
I have just received the sad news from our interim Chairman of ESEA. It is a sad moment for all of us. We share the grief, and that we will miss Walter Ogutu's presence amongst us, and his valuable contribution in FISNA. Let us draw comfort, as we remember that "Death is but crossing the world, as friend's do the seas; they live in one another". They that love beyond the world can not be separated by it. May our LORD GOD rest Ogutu's soul in eternal peace.
John Richard Mbwambo (Tanzania)
It is with great shock and disbelief that we have learnt of the death of Late Walter Ogutu in the fatal accident. His invaluable contributions during the FISNA meeting of 16th and 17th May 2007 in Petermaritzburg, S. Africa are still very fresh in our minds. Death is really a bad reaper, a rude reminder of the destiny for all of us. Our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. May his soul rest in Eternal Peace.
Peter Kiwuso and Epila Otara (Uganda)
It is with great shock that I heard the news of Walter's passing away. He was really a truly nice man, always smiling and friendly. Also he was one of the most active people in the FISNA group. We will miss him greatly. Our thoughts are with his family.
Regards,
Jolanda Roux (South Africa)
That is a big blow. Life is so short! May his soul rest in perfect peace. I SOB FOR YOU WALTER, YES I SOB FOR YOU.
Paul Bosu (Ghana)
It is with a heavy heart and shock that we receive this news today. Walter will terribly be missed.
With deep sympathy,
Yonas Yemshaw (AFORNET, Kenya)
It was with great sadness that I read this terrible news about our dear friend Walter, my heart grieves for his family and friends. Walter was a great man and a dedicated scientist and he will be sadly missed by all of us. Please pass on my sincere condolences to Walter's family.
Gillian Allard (FAO, Rome)
Walter was a friend, a great scientist and committed member of FISNA. We'll miss him. I join hands with other members of FISNA in wishing his soul to rest in peace. Please convey my deepest condolences to his family and CABI.
Seif Madofe (SUA, Tanzania)
Up to now I can not believe that Walter is no longer with us. It is terrible news considering the successful meeting we last had with him in Pietermaritzburg. I am really grieved. I only ask the Lord to console the family in this time of great need.
Member Mushongahande (Zimbabwe)