On the 28 September 2013, Naomi Luchera Shitemi, prominent professor of Kiswahili at Moi University Eldoret, Kenya and BIGSAS Partner University coordinator in Eldoret, passed away at the age of 54 years after bravely fighting cancer for almost two years. She was an outstanding scholar of Swahili Studies recognised both nationally and internationally. Her death creates a big hole in the academic community in Kenya and Bayreuth where she was a regular guest and colleague.