Kenyan Student in Australia Dies After Long Battle With Cancer

Naureen Lugalia, a Kenyan student in Australia, has died after a long battle with cancer. She passed away on 7 January at Modbury Hospital in Adelaide, surrounded by her family and members of the Kenyan diaspora.

Lugalia arrived in Australia in late 2023 to pursue her studies, but her plans were disrupted in June 2024 when she was diagnosed with bowel cancer. Despite the severity of her condition, she faced extensive chemotherapy at Lyell McEwin Hospital, enduring treatment until April 2025. 

Afterward, she was placed under medical observation, during which friends and fellow students noted her composure and quiet strength. In late 2025, Lugalia’s health worsened, and she required further chemotherapy and frequent hospital visits. 

During the Christmas period, complications led to her admission to Modbury Hospital, where she passed away peacefully in the presence of her family. Tributes have poured in from the Kenyan community in Australia, with many remembering Lugalia’s resilience, humility, and courage throughout her illness. 

Funeral arrangements and details for supporting her family are expected to be announced shortly.