Magoha: A scholar who dedicated himself to everything he did According to the General Director of the hospital James Nyamongo, Prof Magoha w...

Magoha: A scholar who dedicated himself to everything he did

According to the General Director of the hospital James Nyamongo, Prof Magoha was rushed to the hospital after suffering a heart attack.

The former minister died at the age of 71.

He is survived by a widow; Dr Barbara Magoha and her son Dr Michael Magoha.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga is among the first leaders in the country to send their condolences following the death of Professor Magoha.

"He was a great scholar, a brave public servant and a doctor who contributed greatly to the education sector in Kenya," he said.

Another person who sent his condolence was ICT Minister Eliud Owalo who described him as "an expert who has left a great memory in the surgical profession and in the government."

Four months after leaving the government, Professor Magoha was hired by Maseno University as a Lecturer in Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine.

Magoha served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi between 2005 and 2015.

Apart from being the Vice Chancellor, Professor Magoha served as a lecturer in Surgery in the Faculty of Medicine in the college.

After retiring as Deputy Chancellor in 2015, Magoha was appointed by former Education Minister Fred Matiang'i, to chair the National National Examinations Council (KNEC) between 2016 and 2019.

On March 1, 2019, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed him as Minister of Education. He was officially sworn into office on March 26, 2019 after being voted in by the National Assembly.

Professor Magoha took the reins from Amina Mohamed, who was transferred to the Sports ministry.

The late Magoha served as the Minister of Education until he succeeded the current Minister Ezekiel Machogu on October 27, 2022.

Mr Machogu was appointed by President William Ruto when he announced his first cabinet on October 12, 2022.

Previously, Magoha has served as the Chairman of the Kenya Association of Surgeons (KAUS) between 1997 and 2013.

Professor Magoha was born in 1952 in Yala area, Gem, Siaya county. He studied at Yala Township Primary School before joining Starehe Boys Center High School.

Later, he studied Medicine at the University of Lagos, Nigeria.

Professor Magoha started working as a surgeon at the University of Lagos Teaching Hospital before rising through the ranks to become a lecturer in the surgery department.

On his return to the country from Nigeria, Professor Magoha joined the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in Surgery in 1988 and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2000.

The Magoha family has now lost three people in three years.

On December 6, 2022, the former minister lost his brother Alex Nyabera Magoha who died in the state of Texas, America. The funeral is January 28.

In August 2021, the Professor lost his other brother Charles Agunga Magoha who passed away while in Sweden.