By Joshua Cheloti

The University of Nairobi had been asked to consider renaming one of its buildings after former Education Cabinet Secretary the late Prof George Magoha.

According to former Industrialization Chief Administration Secretary David Osiany, UoN’s University Towers should be renamed after the late CS.

In a tweet on January 29, 2023, Osiany said when he served as the University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, he single-handedly raised resources for the completion of the building.

The CAS who served during retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration said he would explain how the late CS managed to raise resources for the building ‘single-single-handedly’.

“I publicly ask @vcuonbi Prof. Stephen Kiama to ask the @uonbi Council to rename the University Towers to PROF. MAGOHA TOWERS. Magoha single-handedly raised resources using brilliant techniques to ensure the completion of that tower,” Osiany said.

“I explain here how he did it without gov’t support,” he added.

Prof. Magoha served as the University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor from January 2005 to January 2015.

He was also a Professor of Surgery at the university.

During his tenure, he helped enhance accountability in the finance department as and the quality of teaching and discipline among the students.

Prof. Magoha also served as the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) chairman from 2016 before he was appointed Education Cabinet Secretary.

He died last week aged 71 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

The family said he died as he was being taken to the Nairobi hospital.

Burial plans are ongoing at his rural home in Siaya County.

His death was a double tragedy, as it came at a time they were planning for another burial.

This was following the death of his brother Prof. Alex Magoha who died in December 2022 while in the United States of America.

He was buried on January 28, 2023, even as the family continues with the former CS’s burial plans.

The government has already pledged to facilitate part of the burial expenses, with the Cabinet committing to contribute Ksh1 million to the grieving family.