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Leaders and politicians across the country continued to express their condolences to former Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Magoha who passed away on Tuesday.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta joined Kenyans in mourning Magoha describing him as a celebrated academic who leaves behind a strong legacy of public service.

Kenyatta in an emotional tribute to the late professor, said he was a dear friend, wishing his family God’s comfort during their difficult period of grief.  “It is unfortunate and painful that we’ve lost my friend Prof George Magoha at a time when his family is mourning his brother,” the former President said.

Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu remembered Magoha as a dedicated servant in the country especially when he served in the Ministry of Education.  “He was an academic giant who was dedicated to his work. On behalf of myself, my family and the people of Narok County, I wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and the people of Kenya during this difficult time,” he said in his official Facebook page.

Ntutu said he had the privilege of working with the late professor in the previous administration when he served as a Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) describing him as an astute and shrewd man who respected his job.  “The country has lost a pillar and a man who will go into the books of history as a person whose dedication to education is unmatched. My prayers are with the family during this difficult time. May Professor Magoha’s soul rest in peace,” he said.

Similar sentiments were echoed by Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr who said Prof Mogoha was an exceptional man who will be remembered for bringing reforms in the new education system Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

Infrastructural reforms

“He did everything possible in the CBC curriculum during its inception stages and it is such a big loss since we expected his guidance would have been needed in implementing CBC further,” said Mutula Jnr in Wote office today.

The Governor added that Magoha also brought infrastructural reforms to the University of Nairobi (UON) while he was the Vice Chancellor at the institution adding that he also led the Ministry of Education well.  “I had an opportunity to work with him as a lawyer while he was the Vice-chancellor (VC) at the UON representing the varsity in the corridors of justice.  He was such a gentle person,” he added.  “On behalf of the people of Makueni, my family, and I, convey deep-felt condolences to the larger Magoha family, relatives, friends, and all Kenyans,” eulogised Mutula Jnr.

On his part, Bungoma Governor, Ken Lusaka, said the passing of Magoha was a blow to the education sector and the country at large.

Lusaka said the late professor was very dedicated to the transformation of the country’s education sector, first as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) Chairman and as the Cabinet Secretary (CS) education under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s Administration.  “Prof Magoha restored sanity to the country’s examination body during his reign as its chairman, a legacy that earned him an appointment to head the education docket as the CS,” said Lusaka.

He celebrated Magoha for taking the lead in championing the new CBC system in the country.

Innovation programmes

“He was the only CS who could make impromptu visits to learning institutions to inspect construction of the CBC classrooms, “he said, adding that the late CS had also encouraged innovation programmes in most universities in the country.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino lauded Magoha as one of the most astute Cabinet Secretaries in former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s regime.

The legislator served as a student leader during Prof Magoha’s reign as UoN Vice-Chancellor and although they clashed on a number of issues, he has always held the academician in high regard.

“You were the best decision Uhuru Kenyatta made during his tenure,” wrote Babu.

At the same time, the Kenya Medical Practitioners Pharmacists Dentists Union (KMPDU) mourned former Education Cabinet Secretary George Magoha as a true visionary leader in the education and health sectors. 

In a statement, KMPDU Secretary General Davji Atella said Magoha’s contribution in the two sectors has had a lasting effect.

Last week, Magoha landed a job at Maseno University in Kisumu county as the Professor of Surgery at the School of Medicine.