Daniel Mukenye

04/01/ 2001 – 30/03/2019

Reporting a loss is never easy, especially when it is that of a young man with a bright future ahead of him.  Daniel Mukenye, one of our most promising Wildlife Warrior Scholars, sadly passed away at the age of 18 years on the 30th of March 2019 after a long illness.

A proud Wildlife Warrior

Our most vivid memory of Daniel was when we met him for the first time in January 2015.  He was shy and quiet but very alert. He also laughed and smiled easily. After Land & Life had supported him through the last couple of years of primary school, everyone was thrilled when Daniel sat the Wildlife Warrior exam and qualified for the full Wildlife Warrior Scholarship, supporting him through secondary school from January 2017 onwards.

Daniel’s first entry to the Wildlife Warrior Program 2015

Daniel told us that the scholarship award was a life-changing opportunity for him. Since his parents were elderly, they had no steady source of income to educate him and his siblings, and he had not been sure how they would be able to afford the school fees.  Challenges notwithstanding, he was determined to complete his secondary education and train as a safari guide. At the last Wildlife Warrior Retreat in Nairobi in November 2018, he delighted fellow Wildlife Warriors with his light-hearted but committed approach to activities, and greatly enjoyed the tree planting and seedballing as well as the day game driving in Nairobi National Park

Seedballing with friends in Nairobi 2018

Although he struggled with poor health he worked very hard in his studies to achieve this dream. His reports, which he submitted to Land & Life regularly, were good and his teachers pleased with his progress. Daniel’s favorite subjects were English and Science and he enjoyed playing football and reading.  He showed exemplary spirit of service and was always happy and willing to help those in need.

Planting trees in 2018

Land & Life Foundation is supporting the family by covering the funeral costs, lifting this burden from a bereaved family at a difficult time. We are also committed to support Daniel’s younger siblings Eliza and John throughout their primary school education and in turn take them one step closer to realizing their dreams.

With friends in a Wildlife Warrior Conservation Education Session

This we feel is a befitting tribute to Daniel. Although Daniel is gone, he will never be forgotten. From all of us, here at Land & Life, we send all our love and our condolences to the Mukenye family, and we are grateful for having shared in Daniel’s life and for the time he spent with us all.