George Magoha: The inimitable, intimidating giant

Prof. George Magoha when he appeared for vetting by the National Assembly Committee on appointment at County Hall, Nairobi on Thursday 14th March, 2019. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

"Professor George A.O. Magoha Iom, Mbs, Mbbs, Mknas, Fwacs, Fics, Fcs(Ecsa), Faas, Fmcs(Urol), Vice Chancellor University of Nairobi and Full Professor of Surgery and Consultant Urologist at the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences," the introduction read.

He addressed us during first year students' orientation at the university's Taifa Hall, fire in his belly, his burly frame rocking as he reminded us that we were in 'THE' university and ought to show the world that we, indeed, were a different breed.

His headmasterly aura was so profound we literally shuddered when we spotted him in close quarters, which was rare, and his tough-talking, which many only came across when he served in government, spelled seasoned authority.

Big on values, Professor Magoha reminded us, with every opportunity he got, that he schooled at Starehe Boys' Centre and School. It was there that he became the man he was; a man of a solid, unshakable resolve.

"How can a Starehe Boy be arrogant?" he asked when, as Cabinet Secretary for Education, he addressed claims that he was stubbornly mechanical. "We were trained to be servant leaders. Trained to be leaders by example. That is why you see me everywhere. I am telling you this so you do not listen to any other description of Magoha son of Magoha that you may hear from someone else. But I shall be firm with myself, with you and with anybody else. And with that firmness, together with truthfulness and neighbourliness, then we shall move forward."

"Prof George Magoha was VC at UoN during my undergraduate and graduate education," wrote economist Tony Gitonga on Twitter. "During his tenure, I was awarded a scholarship, by UoN, to pursue MA Economics, entirely on merit. No calls or follow-ups. For this, I am eternally grateful to Magoha's leadership at UoN."

The impact he had on the university would translate to a successful spell at the helm of KNEC and in the Ministry of Education. While he delegated duties, he was a hands-on leader, intent on witnessing performers on duty.

"I was taught never to trust anybody. That even when you delegate you never delegate completely. Because when you delegate completely you lose control," he had told legislators.

A decade ago, in a glowing tribute, University World News had described him as a servant leader, a tireless labourer.

Prof. George Magoha when he appeared for vetting by the National Assembly Committee on appointment at County Hall, Nairobi on Thursday 14th March, 2019. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Even as he battled to see the competency-based curriculum (CBC) implemented, he faced criticism from many quarters but made light work of detractors. He said parents would miss him when he exited.

"Being a surgeon, I was trained that there is only one chance in keeping patients alive. That is the same maxim I apply to managing the university," Magoha had earlier said. "While some see it as cruelty, this institution cannot be run by the faint-hearted." He ran KNEC, and the ministry, quite the same way.

Prof Magoha suggested he needed some time for completion of building infrastructure that would support CBC when the current administration took over. He was not looking for a job with the new administration though, he clarified.

"Let me disapprove of the minds of citizens, I am not looking for a job. What I have is enough; I have a target to meet," Magoha said. "Whoever comes will be my commander in chief, so I hope that person can allow me to finish the classrooms. I stand guided; if you allow me to continue, I will continue."

After Starehe Boys', he had studied in other key institutions: Strathmore School, the University of Lagos where he studied medicine, then furthering his studies in surgery and urology at four institutions: The University of Lagos teaching hospital, University College hospital in Ibadan, also in Nigeria, the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland, and the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at Hammersmith Hospital in London, in the department of urology.

As Cabinet Secretary, he said he wanted to give every child in the country an equal opportunity, just like he had been given, with those in the very remote areas usually disenfranchised and robbed of a chance to fairly compete with many in the urban areas.

He was not retained in the Ministry, however. President William Ruto picked Ezekiel Machogu to replace Prof Magoha in the education docket. Prof Magoha, who died of cardiac arrest on Tuesday, had secured a job at Maseno University in Kisumu County as the Professor of Surgery at the School of Medicine just last week, the school announced.

Former Cabinet Secretaries Simon Chelugui, Mutahi Kagwe and Prof. George Magoha when they arrived at State House for a meeting with President Ruto on 3rd October, 2022. [Twitter: @StateHouseKenya]