Kenyan Professor Visiting the US Drowns While Snorkeling at a Lake in Florida

A Kenyan professor visiting the United States on a conference lost his life after drowning in a snorkeling accident last week in Florida.

Dr George Muhia Kariuki, a professor at the Department of Agricultural Services and Technology at Kenyatta University passed away on Wednesday, August 10th while snorkeling at a lake in Florida.

Dr Kariuki had gone to the lake with some family members and friends. He had reportedly gone into the water twice and safely returned to the boast they were using. He went into the water a third time but this time did not resurface. The family and friends he was snorkeling with noticed he had gone under and were able to retrieve him from the water and into the boat. They then called paramedics who rushed him to the hospital when he was pronounced dead.

Dr Kariuki, who previously resided in the USA and studies at the University of Florida, was in the US along with his wife and two children attending a conference. The family had been scheduled to return home on August 20th.

His family and friends are planning to return to Kenya and repatriate his body there for burial. They are appealing to the community to assist in meeting the cost, estimated at $15,000.

GoFundMe link: https://www.gofundme.com/GeorgeKariuki

Funds can also be deposited to:
Bank of America
Account Name: Teresa W Nyoike
A/c 898045707402

Cashapp: Teresia Nyoike | 352-301-1013 | $Terryshiru

There will be prayers and Requiem mass this Friday August 18, 2017 at 12:00pm at St Augustine Church in Gainesville, FL right opposite the University. Free Parking is available at the empty parking lot right opposite the UF library on West University Avenue and NW 16th/NW 15th Terr St.

Burial date will be announced later.

For additional information, please contact:
Peter Njeru of Gainesville: 352-278-0273
John Karanja of Trenton: 352-222-5955
Teresia Nyoike of Raleigh, NC: 352-301-1013
Mary Duncan Kihoro: 919-818-8057