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In Memory
Jid was the founding director of the University of Oklahoma’s African and African American Studies program, which became a full-fledged department only after his death in October 2013. He single-handedly ran that program for years with few resources. Today it is the thriving Clara Luper Department of African and African American Studies, named after an Oklahoma icon in the civil rights movement.
At Jid’s funeral here in Norman, Okla., person after person and family after family spoke at the service, all with stories about how Jid and his wife, Njambi, supported them as Africans coming to Oklahoma to go to school. It seems that any African student—from any part of the continent—who came as a foreign student to virtually any institution of higher learning in Oklahoma (not just OU) was helped by Jid. He would often pick them up at the airport and have them stay at his home until they could get settled in their own housing. Sometimes they were flying into Tulsa instead of nearby Oklahoma City, but it didn’t matter. He would drive the two hours each way to Tulsa to pick them up and get them where they needed to be. He offered advice on how to navigate America, Oklahoma and whatever degree program they were entering. And he remained someone they could call on throughout their time in Oklahoma. Jid apparently did all this, which must have amounted to nearly a full-time job, without any compensation, while teaching full time at OU and without advertising to his colleagues that he was doing it.
The chapel at his memorial service was standing room only, and I don’t think I’ve ever been to a service more moving. The number of people he helped and whose lives he had changed was huge.
Elyssa Faison, chair, University of Oklahoma History Department
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Dr. Jid Gitau Kamoche Obituary
Family and friends mourn the loss of University of Oklahoma professor emeritus Jidlaph G. Kamoche. He died last week at his home in Norman. James S. Hart Jr., chair of the OU Department of History, declared that his department had lost an important and pioneering teacher in an area unknown to many Americans. He was a fixture of campus life from his arrival on campus in 1977 to serve as the first director of the African/African-American studies program here. In addition to inspiring many students to pursue graduate work in Africa, Kamoche was a generous mentor to younger faculty, especially those who came to OU from their countries. Kamoche was born and raised in Kingeero, near Nairobi, Kenya. He received his primary and secondary education in Kenya. He received a scholarship to pursue higher education in the United States and attended Amherst College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in history in 1967. He earned his Master of Arts in history from the University of Massachusetts in 1969 and his doctorate in history from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1977. Kamoche was born and raised in Kingeero, near Nairobi, Kenya. He received his primary and secondary education in Kenya. He received a scholarship to pursue higher education in the United States and attended Amherst College, where he received his Bachelor of Arts in history in 1967. He earned his Master of Arts in history from the University of Massachusetts in 1969 and his doctorate in history from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 1977. Before coming to the University of Oklahoma in 1977, he served as the director of the African and African-American Studies Program and taught African and African-American history at University of New York College at Buffalo. He was the author of “Imperial Trusteeship and Political Evolution in Kenya, 1923-1963” (Washington, DC: University Press of America, 1981). For 10 years, he authored short articles on contemporary Kenyan history. The articles were published in Collier’s Encyclopedia Year Book. He presented papers at the African Studies Annual Conferences. At the time of his death, he was at work on a second book, “Mau Mau and Decolonization in Kenya, 1945-1963.” He leaves behind many memories, friends and loved ones. He was a passionate supporter of OU football and taught many of the players over the years. Jid was preceded in death by his parents, Esther Nyakio and Nelson; and brothers James and John. He is survived by his wife of 41 years, Njambi; his two children, Nyakio (Kio) and her husband David and Kamoche (Moche); his three grandchildren, Kaya, Luisa and Rocco; three sisters; two brothers; and many nieces and nephews. A service to celebrate his life will be 11 a.m. Saturday at Havenbrook Funeral Home chapel, 3401 Havenbrook St. in Norman. Family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Havenbrook Funeral Home.
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Contact
Nickname
- Jid
Family
Amherst Relatives
- Njambi C. Kamoche W'67
Personal
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Professional
Employment Information
Former
- Assoc ProfessorUniversity of OklahomaStart:01/1977End:10/2013
- Asst ProfssorUniversity of OklahomaStart:01/1977End:01/1984
- Asst ProfessorState University of New YorkStart:01/1970End:01/1977
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Amherst
Reunion Class
- 1967
Graduation Year
- 1967
Major(s)
- No Major Available Online
Other Academic
Secondary Schools
- Thika High School
Higher Ed
- SUNY University At BuffaloField of Study:HistoryDegree:Doctor of PhilosophyYear:1977
- University of Massachusetts AmherstField of Study:HistoryDegree:Master of ArtsYear:1969
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Amherst
Fraternity
- Independent (no fraternity affil)
Extracurricular Activities
- International Relations Club
Post-Graduate
Publications/ Creative Works
- Art 'African Responses To Colonialism..'
- Art 'African-American Studies:...'
- Auth'Imperial Trusteeship &..Kenya1923-63' 81
- Author Of Articles On Kenya In Encyclopedias
- Author Of Numerous Scholarly Articles
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