Former Education Cabinet Secretary Prof. George Albert Omore Magoha is dead
The career tutor and professor of surgery was pronounced dead at the Nairobi Hospital’s Doctor’s Plaza after he reportedly collapsed at his house this evening
He is survived by his wife, Dr. Barbara Magoha, as well as his son Dr. Micheal Magoha. They were among the first on the scene to revive him before he succumbed to his injuries.
James Nyamongo is the Chief Executive Officer of Nairobi Hospital. He stated that Prof. Magoha had fallen at home and was rushed into the hospital, but his efforts to save him proved futile.
“It is with great regret that we announce the sudden and timely demise of Prof. George Magoha, this evening at The Nairobi Hospital,” the statement read in part,
The Lee Funeral Home moved the body of the former Education boss.
The late don was instrumental for the implementation and transformation of the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC). While at the helm, the education docket saw that the pervasive cheating during national examinations was reduced to a minimum.
After serving in the Cabinet of President Uhuru Kenyatta 2022, the 71-year-old don who specialized in urology was made professor of surgery at Maseno University’s school of medicine.
He was born in 1952 and did his primary education in Siaya County before proceeding for his secondary education at Starehe Boys Centre and Strathmore college before he enrolled for medicine at the university of Lagos.
He completed further studies in surgery, urology, at Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Ireland, later at the Royal College of Surgeons Dublin. Later, he was at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School Hammersmith Hospital in London, Department of Urology.
Professor Magoha worked in Lagos in various capacities before he returned to the country. He joined the University of Nairobi in 1988 as a lecturer on Urological Surgery. In 2000, he was elected a full professor of Surgery.
The reforms he introduced to the Education sector including curbing exam malpractices, and addressing indiscipline issues in schools that have been affecting this sector will be remembered fondly.
Education boss also increased the speed of marking national exams-the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education and Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education-KCPE-and ensured smooth implementation of Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) during his tenure.
After the August 9 elections, Ezekiel Machogu, Education Cabinet Secretary, succeeded him. He was named after Kenya Kwanza and took over the reins of power.
By Ian Chepkuto
Source: kenyanews
