By Urban Shihemi, July 30, 2025 Kenya’s medical , academic communities and the Muslims at large are mourning the passing of Professor Mohamed Karama, a distinguished scholar in public health and epidemiology, who died this morning in Nairobi. He was the former Acting Vice-Chancellor of Umma University. Prof. Karama’s career spanned decades of dedicated service in health research, academic mentorship, and institutional leadership. His early work was with the Ministry of Health, where he served in the Department of Communicable Diseases Control, before joining the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI). His research focused primarily on public health, with a particular emphasis on the control of schistosomiasis in the Mwea Irrigation Scheme, as well as water and sanitation issues affecting rural and underserved populations. He later transitioned into academia, becoming a Lecturer at the School of Public Health at Kenyatta University, and served as a supervisor for Master’s students at JKUAT University under the Institute of Tropical Medicine. Prof. Karama was also active in global academic exchange. He provided e-lectures to students from Minnesota, USA, as part of the Minnesota Students International Development program, and also supervised students from Nagasaki University’s School of Global Health in Japan. Beyond academia, Prof. Karama played a significant role in research governance, having served for 10 years as the Chairperson of the AMREF Scientific and Ethical Review Committee, ensuring that research involving human subjects upheld the highest ethical standards. In his most recent role, Prof. Karama was at the helm of Umma University, guiding it through a period of growth and institutional strengthening as Acting Vice-Chancellor. Prof. Karama was the Chairman of the National Muslim COVID‑19 Response Team.His leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic was instrumental in shaping the Muslim community’s response across Kenya. Janaza will be held today after Asr at Adams Masjid along Ngong Road. He will be buried at Langata cemetery in Nairobi. May his contributions to public health and education continue to inspire future generations. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji'un.