Celebrated Kenyan Public Intellectual, Calestous Juma, Has Died

Calestous Juma, the Kenyan Harvard University professor who built a substantial social media following with his authoritative commentary on technology and sustainable development has died. He was 64.

Juma was the only Kenyan to be listed on the first-ever "Most Reputable People On Earth" list year, reports Daily Nation. He was named one of the most influential Africans by New African magazine for three consecutive years between 2012 and 2013.

His social media presence often provoked strong responses from folks online, making him one of the most active African academics on Twitter, with over 100,000 followers.

Since the news of his death surfaced, there's been an outpouring of reactions on social media from fellow academics, followers, and a number of state leaders, including Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta, and opposition party leader Raila Odinga as well as Rwanda's Paul Kagame.

Many are sending condolences and remembering his inedible impact on the African academic community.