It's not everyday that you meet someone, work closely with them and ignite a friendship.

August 2024, I met Kamau through Nairobi Chapel Ngong Road. We had volunteered for a project - The Re-Imagine Project - we ended up being in the same team - Branding - which he led with passion, excellence and most importantly his grounding in our Lord that was admirable.

Being in the same team, meant that we spoke often. Every week, we would review our progress - and through the numerous phone calls and emails, a friendship blossomed - one that I selfishly believe has been snapped from me. Kamau's leadership, dedication and creativity stood out, always available for meetings, always ensuring that we kept to the project timelines, always offering a helping hand. 

Coming to terms with Kamau's passing is difficult, I continue to struggle to find befitting words to describe him & his impact on our team - however - I am comforted in knowing that Kamau knew our Lord, he wasn't ashamed of the Gospel, and he is at home with our Saviour.

Kamau, I didn't know you for many years, however, you will be remembered. 

Rest well my friend.

AN OAK TREE HAS FALLEN

It's been nearly 40 years since I first met Kamau....

In that time, I have known Kamau, the Musician. Kamau, the Stand-Up comedian. Kamau, the Basketballer. Kamau, the Creative-Guru. Kamau, the family man. Kamau, the mission-centric heart.

Let me highlight a few incredible attributes about a dear friend, business associate and certainly, big brother.

In early 1990, Kamau, Joy Mutero and I - including a handful of communication professionals - joined a start-up company, Lonrho Media. Kamau served as our Creative and Art Director, Joy, Managing Editor and I led the Commercial aspects. The company later became known as, The Media House, a subsidiary of the Standard Group. Under this team and through Kamau's creative direction, seven magazine titles were published within 18 months! These included the first ever full colour, glossy art paper women's magazine, Lady; a complete magazine revolution from what had been the 70's and 80's vibe: the Viva Magazine for women. Kamau designed Equatorial Magazine, a travel edition that carried Kenya's amazing hospitality pride, partially inspired by the Express Travel Group, a sister company. He also conceptualised the design for Overdrive, the first ever A4 sized Kenyan magazine targeted at motoring enthusiasts, and Jikoni, a home decor and culinary magazine that became a domestic keep-sake for many households across Kenya. Kamau also directed the design style and setting of the NOW magazine, a Sunday Standard weekly insert.

Kamau pioneered ''clean art''; without any doubt within the industry, becoming ''the grandfather'' of a fresh, hygienic style in the application of print art. Through this, he unbundled the traditional, cluttered design styles that were applied then. He introduced fresh standards, only previously used in globally recognised magazine brands such as Vanity Fair & GQ (Gentleman's Quarterly) etc.

Beyond his time at the Standard Group, Kamau's genius translated into leading innovative initiatives at the Nation Media Group by designing the mastheads and layouts of both the Business Daily and The East African newspapers. Alongside a diverse team of professionals, Kamau conceptualised, designed and produced his most successful NMG project, the Saturday Magazine, an inaugural, saddle-stitched full colour weekly magazine insert. A great weekend read.

Kamau was one of the most prolific Creative designers this region has ever produced. His talent and gift, always so professionally delivered, was consistently driven by an incredible spirit of excellence. He impacted many regional brands, innovatively packaged story telling, church projects and family initiatives. There are many stories of personal design guidance and services rendered, often without any demands for compensation. Through his generous gifts and talents, Kamau mentored, coached and inspired hundreds of young creatives across East Africa, always staying ahead of his craft through the use of modern design trends and applications that have transcended creative generations. Inspite of his great portfolio and professional accomplishments throughout East Africa, Kamau remained level-headed, carrying this with utmost humility and grace.

Many will also remember how gifted a photographer Kamau was, often captured at school functions and social events behind the lens of a relatively large camera, which was always hanging over his neck in readiness for a good shot.

Kamau's great sense of humour is one of the most memorable gifts he gave us! He could mimic ANY accent whilst telling his jokes, and was always in complete character in its delivery and punchline, leaving those around him to deal with the rib-cracking outbursts to these randomly delivered comedy sessions.

Working in the very hectic world of media over many years, Kamau's integrity and strength of personal character remained beyond reproach. Throughout his career, Kamau never shied away from sharing his faith in Jesus Christ; he urged his workmates and associates to gain a knowledge of the saving grace and mercy of Jesus. Today, several former workmates attribute their transformed spiritual lives to the seeds of faith Kamau sowed in them many years ago.

Over the past 15 months, introduced to our community by his dear daughter Timame Njeri, Kamau became a core part of revitalising the church planting of the Nairobi Chapel, Kilimani. We owe Njeri a debt of love. He served in the leadership of the Ombi small group study, entrenched himself in the prayer and hospitality ministries, actively participated in service leadership and the prayer walks over the "Kilimani for Jesus'' initiative, whilst also frequently following up with calls to new church visitors, whom he prsonally engaged on any repeat visits. He was also a fundamental member of the newly launched Men's Fellowship, spending quality time with younger husbands and fathers; a great inspiration and role model. He also made time to coach and mentor the Worship team... often giving them stretch goals to incorporate hymns in their weekly worship sets each Sunday. Having himself been an integral part of the Challenge Band in the 80s, playing bass guitar, I had no doubt in my mind they were in very capable hands from all the tutoring. Kamau supported the inaugural launch of the MarketPlace Ministry in March last year, developing all the requisite branded collateral in supporting the establishment and growth of Small and medium enterprises within Kilimani.

In the words of our Lead Pastor, Simon Mbevi, Kamau's humility and spirit of submission to the Lord's leading, made him ''easy to pastor' inspite of his maturity in faith, age and years of service in ministry. Kamau had volunteered to deepen his ministry engagement and be more available to Sunday morning service leadership in 2026.

A family man, he loved and constantly prayed for his family, and was proud of his children's accomplishments. He especially looked forward to Sifa's graduation as an interior architect from the University of Nairobi and beamed when we told him that the creative gene had found strong root in his children.

Having served in the Lord's Ministry over many years, the Lord favoured our Kilimani community with the love, wisdom, experience, gifts and talents that Kamau brought to us in his last year of his Christian journey. He served with exceptional dedication, excellence, humility, joy and utmost submission to the Lord's will. Kamau was never late to church, often walking a long stretch from his home, as part of his morning Keep-Fit routine, patiently waiting for church to commence. He had found a loving, caring community and fellowship that he now fully belonged to.

We can not say thank you enough to the Lord for the honour we enjoyed, through the strength of Kamau's diverse gifts, well grounded character, deep faith in God and love for God's people. Many members of the Nairobi Chapel Kilimani church community have singled out that Kamau's life has deeply challenged us all to FINISH STRONG like he did; a life lived fully surrendered to the will and service of God and his people.

Whenever an oak tree falls, the ground trembles; it shakes and thunders! The nestling birds, frightened, lose their home, and their whistling and early morning singing fades. Those who find shade from the heat of the daily sun or shelter from the heavy rain storm, also lose this great covering, comfort, rescue and security.

Our creative and media industry has lost a great mind. A great heart. A great ideator. A great skill. A great reference, institutional memory and inspiration.

The Nairobi Chapel, Kilimani has lost an icon of faith. A submitted servant of God. A rare gift to our church community. A role model. A coach and mentor. A Christlike character.

But heaven has beautifully gained....through our tears and broken hearts.

May Kamau's legacy of generosity, humility, respect, love, goodness, excellence, kindness, gentleness, care, commitment, dedication, patience, humour and great self-control, continue to inspire us all.

1st Thessalonians 5: 16-18 tells us to be joyful always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for us in Christ Jesus. We shall be obedient to do this. We also believe that precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

Indeed the end of a matter is much better than the beginning. Kamau has fought the good fight. He has kept the faith. He has finished his race. What now awaits him is a crown of righteousness, which the Lord Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, will give to him on that day.

Take your well deserved rest, our dear brother Kamau; well done... for your good deeds will now follow you.

May the name of the Lord be praised forever! Amen and Amen!

Eva Muraya, on behalf of the Nairobi Chapel, Kilimani community.

I met Kamau about one year ago when I was asked to work with a committee to review and re-imagine branding , communications and stakeholder relationship management of the Nairobi Chapel group of Churches. Kamau led the re-branding work-stream and did so with passion, expertise and diligence.  Kamau not only provided deep technical inputs but also build all his advise on solid spiritual grounding. He offered his office for meetings and was instrumental in the research that formed the basis for the recommendations that were produced for the leadership. He took particular pride in delivering his work ahead of the deadline. The members of the team he worked with were very fond of him and a strong bond of friendship developed over the course of the project. Kamau will be greatly missed but his contribution to the mission of the church and to the Glory of God will live on. Rest in Peace my friend. 

Some people leave impressions.

Others leave architecture.

Kamau Wanyoike was a rare creative, the quiet architect behind our companies brands and strategies, the hand that gave shape to vision, the mind that turned ideas into legacy, his work continues to speak.

But Kamau was more than brilliance.

He was generous with his time, faithful in moments of urgency, and present when grief entered our lives working through long nights to honour our dear Mercy, my brother, and my mother,

even crafting a book in tribute to her memory.

He gave not only talent, but heart. Today we mourn him. And we thank God for him. Rest in peace, faithful friend.

Your work remains. Your kindness endures. Your legacy lives on.

Kiiru Mahiaini

I was so sorry to hear about Kamau's passing. He was such a generous,  humble and kind person. Always looking for an opportunity to make a difference.  I cherish the moments we shared, albeit brief. May God uphold his close and loved ones.

I first heard the name Kamau Wanyoike back in the early 80s when his name was flying around as the new guy on the block, doing serious photography and Magazine cover designs for STEP Magazine. I knew I had to meet this guy since Art and Design was my area of interest.

In '86 I met Kamau, Kariz and George, his cousins through his brother Josh who was a close friend of my sister then and we hit it off immediately. He was a comedian of "another order" bwana. We were in stitches all afternoon.

I was more interested in rugby but I attended one or two B.B. sessions at Posta Club where again, we laughed our heads off. He was the 'spark' kind of guy in any crowd. Very gentle but very focused, simple and yet fun. He always tended towards leadership and was a great mentor.

By God's divine doing, I worked under Kamau as a computer graphic designer in '93 and '94 and gained valuable experience to boost my career into advertising. Here I met with his wonderful wife Mercy and witnessed the birth of their first child.

My journey in the Ad industry led me to work in Uganda for a number of years. Again, by God's divine doing, Kamau came to Uganda with Nation Media Group where we visited and fellowshipped alot although his work schedules were crazy. But he was build for this kind of stress and he stunned many.

My friend  of a good 40years has rested. I have benefitted immensely from this. I have witnessed God's faithfulness through this 'man of God.' Glory be to God. His memory is a treasure, and a legacy with us.

The Lord grants eternal rest to my dear brother. His light is now perpetual upon him, in perfect peace. 

Till we meet again in glory.

Blessed are they who die in the Lord… they have rest from their labor, and their deeds shine after them.”

— Revelation 14:13

So, Kamau and I were working together on what was probably the last project he was involved in before death's cruel hand took him. 

We were two or three weeks into building on Framer, a website for my new consultancy. In between building the site, Kamau, the techy whizz he was, was helping me install a patch that would allow for the upgrading of my 2013 iMac in order to instal the newest operating system, and so I had lugged the desktop computer to his office at the Ark on Lower Kabete Road and stationed it there as we worked through the difficult patch. 

And continued building the website. The best part of those three weeks was us walking home together from the start of Lower Kabete Road, past Sarit Centre, past the chaotic bus stage at the Westlands roundabout, past Parklands Baptist Church and on to the Kileleshwa neighborhood. 

And we talked. And talked. Kamau talked endlessly about his wife and his children. He told me about foods that work well with diabetics like us. He told me about how different organs of the body react to food and medicine and illness. We shared about where each of us was in our faith. Kamau told me what God had been putting in his heart lately. 

Everyday on the walk home for three weeks we talked. Then he went to see a client in Mombasa. Got back and caught pneumonia. I went to see him at hospital one Saturday morning. And I couldn't go to see him at hospital anymore. 

Then he was gone. Fare thee well my friend. You have let go. Now let God. 

Rest In Power Kamau🙏🏾  I watched you fight the good fight… now you have finished your race on this side of eternity. I know that Heaven had a standing ovation for you🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾