Varsity Chancellor Prof. Patrick Verkooijen Mourns the Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga
The University of Nairobi Chancellor, Prof. Patrick V. Verkooijen, has paid an emotional tribute to the late Rt. Hon. Raila Amollo Odinga, describing him as a visionary leader, fearless reformer, and lifelong advocate for education, democracy, and justice.
In his statement of condolence, Prof. Verkooijen said the University community mourns the passing of a distinguished alumnus, former faculty member, and honorary doctorate recipient, whose life and legacy are woven into the very fabric of the institution’s history.
After completing his studies in East Germany in the early 1970s, Raila Odinga joined the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering. He taught courses that inspired a generation of young engineers with his dedication to excellence and innovation. Beyond the lecture halls, he was an active member of the Chiromo Club, a hub for intellectual exchange among faculty and scholars that helped shape Kenya’s academic and policy thought.
During the 1980s, Raila Odinga was detained several times without trial under the Moi regime for his political activism and his advocacy for multiparty democracy. Even in confinement, he remained deeply connected to the ideals of learning and freedom of thought. Some of his fellow detainees were also from the University of Nairobi, including Prof. Alfred Otieno, then Dean of the Faculty of Engineering. These experiences, Prof. Verkooijen noted, strengthened Raila’s conviction that education and justice are inseparable pillars of national progress.
In October 2008, the University of Nairobi conferred upon Raila Odinga the Honorary Doctor of Laws (LL.D., Honoris Causa), alongside H.E. Mwai Kibaki and the late Kofi Annan, in recognition of their instrumental leadership in steering Kenya toward peace and reconciliation following the 2007–2008 post-election crisis. This honour reflected not only Raila’s political statesmanship but also his lifelong commitment to education, youth empowerment, and the advancement of public service.
Prof. Verkooijen highlighted Raila Odinga’s unwavering belief in the power of education to change destinies. Through his “Waste No Child” initiative and the Raila Odinga Foundation, he championed equitable access to learning from early childhood to university level, ensuring that bright but needy students could pursue their dreams. He consistently advocated for the release of education capitation funds, improved school infrastructure, and county-level feeding programmes for ECDE learners, believing that no child should be left behind.
The Chancellor also lauded Raila’s pioneering leadership in climate action and environmental justice, noting that he viewed the fight for democracy as inseparable from the fight for a livable planet. His voice resonated globally, calling for climate action rooted in fairness and sustainability values the University of Nairobi and the Global Center on Adaptation hold dear. Raila championed renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture, and green industrial growth, as well as continental initiatives such as Desert to Power, which sought to expand access to clean energy across Africa.
“Through his association with this University as lecturer, statesman, and advocate for education Raila Odinga exemplified the transformative power of knowledge and the enduring impact of mentorship,” Prof. Verkooijen remarked.
He added that Raila’s courage, conviction, and lifelong pursuit of justice will continue to inspire scholars, leaders, and dreamers for generations to come.
Read the full tribute by Prof. Patrick V. Verkooijen, Chancellor, University of Nairobi. HERE
