Kennerley was of mixed-race origins and was brought up by foster parents in the north of England. He trained as an actor at the Drama Centre, London. He went on to work in theatre including M6 theatre in Rochdale, and Perspectives in Nottinghamshire. He also worked in television.

In the 1990s he was co-director of Gay Sweatshop with Lois Weaver. When he died of cancer aged 39 he left Richard, his partner of four years.