DR. NICHOLAS NIXON OPIYO BWANA

24th September, 1981  –  22nd October, 2020

It is with great sadness and deep sorrow that the family of Nicholas Nixon Opiyo Bwana announces his unexpected passing on October 22, 2020.

Nicholas was the beloved son of the late Martin Bwana Koko and the late Marceline Omolo Bwana. He will be lovingly remembered by his wife, Caitlin Frith Biedron, and his siblings, Martha, Dina, Philemon, Bill Allan, Daniel, and Maureen, and was a loving uncle to all of his nieces and nephews. Nicholas grew up in Karachuonyo in Kendu Bay, and then attended Starehe Boys’ Centre in Nairobi, which provided a foundation for his future academic endeavors in the United States and the United Kingdom. Nicholas earned a PhD in electronic and electrical engineering, and he dedicated his career to conducting renewable energy research and expanding access to solar power and other forms of renewable energy to achieve electricity-beyond-lighting and accelerate rural socioeconomic development.

As a Lecturer and then Senior Lecturer, Nicholas was dedicated to teaching and mentoring students early in their academic careers, ensuring they were well-versed in fundamental engineering principles and challenging them to be critical and creative thinkers. During his academic career, Nicholas authored 37 publications in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, and a book titled Photovoltaic Systems Power Structures. Throughout his life, Nicholas remained true to Starehe’s motto, “Natulenge Juu” (Let Us Aim High), and to the promotion of a more just society, the core mission of Starehe. His humility, wit, sense of humour, and love of intellectual sparring will be remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know him. Nicholas will be greatly missed by his family and friends, who were so deeply affected and forever changed by his presence and touched by his love, generosity, resilience, and wisdom. From a very young age, he was a visionary and he carried others with him as he so diligently pursued his vision of creating a better life for everyone around him.

A memorial service will be held for Nicholas at Umash Funeral Home on Saturday, November 21st at 8:00 am.

The cortege will depart Umash Funeral Home on Saturday at 9:30 am, and the funeral and burial service will be held at Nicholas’ family home in Kendu Bay on Sunday, November 22nd.

“But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they will mount up on wings like eagles, they will run and not be weary, they shall walk and not fain” (Isaiah 40:31)

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (I Peter 4:10)

“In the same way, let your light shine , before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)