DR. JEFF ODERA ADHAYA

 1940 — 2021

Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) Death and Funeral Announcement The KEFRI Board of Directors, Management and Staff regret to announce the passing to glory of Dr. Jephthah (Jeff) Odera Adhaya which occurred at the Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu after a short illness. Dr Odera was the founding Director of KEFRI.

Dr. Odera started his career in the East African Agriculture and Forestry Research Organization (EAAFRO) and Forest Department (1961-1965), Conservator of Forests (1968-1973), Deputy Director, KARI (1981-1986), Founding Director KEFRI (1986-1994 Contributions: He negotiated various projects, recruited and mentored large pools of students, established key infrastructure of KEFRI Centres that has made KEFRI a beacon of Forestry research in the country, regionally and globally.

Professional life: African representative to the International Union of Forestry Research Organization (IUFRO), Editor (East African Agricultural and Forestry journals), Board Member – Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR), Member of Forestry Society of Kenya, American Forestry Society, African Association of Insect Scientists, Consultant to various National and International organizations (NORAD, FAO). Published 61 referred Journals and book chapters, 26 Conference papers and spearheaded policies and legislature in the forestry sector.

Dr. Odera was the son of the late Mathia Wagwana Adhaya and the late Rebecca Oketch Adhaya of Nyabeda Siaya County.

Life partner to the late Mary Achieng Odera, the late Jane Adika Odera, the late Alyce Atieno Odera, Hannah Ngina and Dr. Ebby Chagala — Odera. Father to Fred Adhaya and Amy Rogers Adhaya, Linda Obonyo, Lilian Odiwuor, Maryanne Anyango, Jacquiline Akinyi, and Cindy Oketch. Grandfather to Nicole, Moses, Denis, Peninnah, Hannah, Carina, Grace, Sam, Christine and Nayson.

A funeral service will be held at ACK All Saints Nyabeda followed by an Internment ceremony at his home in Nyabeda Sub-Location, Gem Sub-County, Siaya County on July 31,2021 at 8.00 a.m.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”

Rest In Power Daktari