It’s
with great sadness that I learned of the passing of Mr. Julius Kimani Former
Director of Parks and Reserves of KWS. On behalf of Elephant Neighbors Center,
and I send our deepest condolences to Mr. Julius Kimani’s family and the Kenya
Wildlife Service family at this difficult time. The world of conservation mourns
with you and celebrates the extraordinary life of this remarkable “ General”
who devoted his life to peacefully protecting Kenyan Wildlife.
The
work of the Kenya Wildlife Service stands as a testament to the power of his
leadership, he rose to the rank of Acting Director due to his dedication,
humbleness but no-nonsense man. Mr. Julius’s tireless efforts earned him not
only a highest position at KWS but to the Kenyan Conservation fraternity, he
was known to any one in Kenya and in conservation.
I celebrate
an extraordinary man, a warrior, a statesman, and a patriot, who embodied so
much that, is best in Kenyan Wildlife Conservation fraternity and in Kenya. So
for someone like Julius to ask you while he is still alive to stand and speak
of him when he is gone is a precious and singular honor. At one he was quoted “Tsavo is Kenya’s second oldest
national park. It biodiversity is part of our history and one of the pillars of
our economy. For this reason, we will protect this unique ecosystem and its
wildlife fiercely, relentlessly and passionately. And for as long as we have
friends like IFAW who share our vision, Tsavo will live well into the future”
I
personally met Julius Kimani in early 2000 but interacted with him in 2013
during my Mombasa- Nairobi Elephant Walk to this date, he has lingered as a close
confidant and a friend bearing in mind my campaign need planning, intelligent
and honest personnel! His leadership will be immensely missed. I celebrate my friend and I will remember him
for the many things he did for this country, he did it without asking for
anything in returns, he never expected anything but instead he did because he
was passionate and did it from his heart despite the risk therein. If there is anything
we can learn from Julius is what contribution are we making, what sacrifice are
we giving for the betterment of wildlife conservation in this country, are we
working for our self or are for the wellbeing of people of this country! What kind
of a legacy are we fulfilling!
It brings to
mind something that Hemingway wrote, in the book “ For Whom the Bells Toll “ “Today is only one
day in all the days that will ever be. But what will happen in all the other
days that ever come can depend on what you do today.” In the world of conservation,
Julius learned in ways that few of us ever will the meaning of those words—how
each moment, each day, each choice is a test. And Julius passed that test again
and again and again. And that’s why when we spoke of virtues like service and
duty held by Julius while on duty, it didn’t ring echoing. They are just words
to him. It was a truth that he had lived and for which he was prepared to die.
And it forced even the most cynical to consider, what were we doing for our
country? What might we risk everything for?
Julius
upholds orders; discipline and he would not hesitate to tell us when required!
Like all of us who go into public service, he did have an ego. Like all of us,
there was no doubt some people didn’t like his working philosophy, some
compromises he struck, some decisions he made that he wished he could have
back. It’s no secret—he had a temper, and when it flared up, it was a force of
nature, a wonder to behold. His jaw screeching, his face blushing, his eyes
boring a hole right through you! I ever
experienced it firsthand, mind you. But to know Julius! One was to know that as quick as his passions
might flare, he was just as quick to forgive and ask for forgiveness. He knew
more than most his own weaknesses, and his blind spots, and he knew how to
laugh at himself. And that self-awareness made him all the more convincing.
What better
way to honor Julius’s life of service than, as best we can, follow his example?
To prove that the willingness to get in the arena and fight for wildlife
conservation is not reserved for the few, it is open to all of us, and in fact
it is demanded of all of us as citizens of Kenya. That’s perhaps how we honor
him best, by recognizing that there are some things bigger than ourselves or
desire or money or fame or authority. That there are some things that are worth
risking everything for: principles that are endless, truths that are unshakable.
At his best, I believed Julius showed us what that means and how to live on it
and we are all deeply in his debt. May God bless Julius Kimani and rest his
affectionate soul in the best place.
Jim Justus
Nyamu , Cde
Executive
Director Elephant Neighbors Center
