We learnt with a sense of sadness, the passing of Professor Washington Olima, a Professor of Real Estate at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Prof Olima was a very active and valuable member of the African Urbanization and Habitable Cities. He led the scoping studies research and capacity building activities of the Network, mobilising early career researchers, the civil society and public sector in Kenya. A past president of the African Real Estate Society, he will be missed for his profound contributions to the real estate research and capacity building in Africa.