Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta led the dignitaries who paid last respect to former Education CS Prof. George Magoha in Siaya.
Missing from the burial was President William Ruto who was at a retreat for the National Executive and County Governments in Naivasha but sent ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo with his message.
The President eulogised Magoha as patriot and a spirited go-getter and said the former CS visited individual homes in the slums and informal settlements to find out why children were not in school. “He was at his happiest whenever he tracked one child and returned them to school.” said the Head of State.
He further described Magoha as a man who believed in what he did and occupied large space everywhere he went and described the departed CS as a compassionate colleague who stood with those round him in difficult times.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta eulogised Magoha as a hardworking public officer who was never distracted by politics. Kenyatta attributed the containing of exam cheating to Prof. Magoha during his tenure as the chairperson of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) and the Cabinet Secretary for Education.
“Many of you will recall the numerous cases of exam cheating [in the past]. When Magoha’s term as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi ended [in 2015], I settled on him to head KNEC,” said Uhuru.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga who arrived at the burial dressed in Luo traditional regalia described Magoha as a visionary leader whose unwavering commitment to education and passion for excellence will never be forgotten. Raila Odinga, whose dramatic arrival interrupted a speech by Education Cs Ezekiel Machogu described Magoha as a great son of the community who has served the county with honour.
