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George Magoha

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George Magoha
MBS, EBS, CBS
Born
George Albert Omore Magoha

(1952-07-02)2 July 1952
Kisumu, Kenya Colony
Died24 January 2023(2023-01-24) (aged 70)
Nairobi, Kenya
Alma materUniversity of Lagos
Lagos University Teaching Hospital
University College Hospital, Ibadan
Royal College of Surgeons
Royal Postgraduate Medical School
Occupation(s)Urologist, Surgeon, Physician, Academician, Administrator, and a Technocrat.
Years active1990–2022
TitleCabinet Secretary of Education in the Cabinet of Kenya

George Albert Omore Magoha (2 July 1952 – 24 January 2023) was a Kenyan consultant surgeon, academic administrator and technocrat, who served as a Professor of Surgery at Maseno University's School of Medicine, in Kisumu County as from 17 January 2023 till his death.[1]

Immediately before his last assignment, he was the Cabinet Secretary of Education in the Cabinet of Kenya, under President Uhuru Kenyatta's second term effective 26 March 2019.[2][3]

Magoha was the chairman of the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC), from 2016 until 2019.[4]

Magoha previously served as the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi from 2005 until 2015. He was a Professor of Surgery at the University of Nairobi's College of Health Sciences. He concurrently served as a Consultant Urologist at Kenyatta National Hospital, the teaching hospital of the university.[5]

Early life and education

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Magoha was born in Kisumu on 2 July 1952.[6][7][8] He moved in with his older brother, John Obare and his wife Agatha Christine Obare,[9] in Nairobi, on account of his [Magoha] asthma, at a young age.[5]

Magoha attended Dr David Livingstone Primary School, in Nairobi. He then attended Starehe Boys' Centre and School, where he completed his O-Level studies. He proceeded to Strathmore School, for his A-Level education, graduating with a High School Diploma.[5]

Magoha was awarded a scholarship to study human medicine at the University of Lagos, in Nigeria. His studies took him through the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, the University College Hospital, Ibadan, both in Nigeria and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Hammersmith Hospital in London, United Kingdom. He was trained as a urologist and was a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.[5]

Career

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Magoha established his career in surgery at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital as an intern and rose to the position of Senior Resident and Clinical Lecturer in Surgery.

He also served as a lecturer in the same hospital and a Consultant Surgeon in various leading hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria.

He joined the University of Nairobi as a lecturer in Urological Surgery in 1988 and rose through the ranks to become a full Professor of Surgery in 2000.

He served in various administrative positions at the university, rising from chairperson of the Academic Department of Surgery in 1999, Dean of the School of Medicine, Principal of the College of Health Sciences, Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of Administration and Finance to Vice-Chancellor in January 2005 after a competitive recruitment process.

He is published in more than 60 peer-reviewed publications and supervised to completion more than 40 Master of Medicine (Surgery) students.

He is a member of many professional bodies in Urology and Surgery including British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS), Société Internationale d’Urologie (SIU), among others.

He was actively involved in research in male erectile dysfunction, prostate, testicular and penile cancers, circumcision and HIV/AIDs.

His most remarkable achievement at the UoN were instituting discipline among the academic staff, non-teaching staff and the students, and revamping the management of the university by achieving performance targets he was given prior to being appointed. At the time he assumed office, apparently staff members never worked, lecturers missed classes and some even lost student examination marks. Student strikes were notoriously common and had damaged the institution's reputation.[5]

By meeting openly with students to discuss their issues, he created a safety valve for ventilation and preventing them from rioting. For the 10 years he served as the vice chancellor, the students went on strike fewer times than before his time in office.[5]

In 2016, with his record as a no-nonsense education administrator, he was appointed the Chairman of the Kenya National Examination Council, by President Uhuru Kenyatta. His immediate task as the Chairman of KNEC was to reform the council to arrest the widespread academic dishonesty and corruption in the administration of national examinations. He is credited to have dismantled cartels that had propagated exam cheating for years and restored credibility of exams in Kenya.[10][11][12]

On 1 March 2019, he was nominated as the Cabinet Secretary for Education in the Kenyan Cabinet,[13] and was sworn in on 26 March 2019, replacing Amina Mohamed, who was transferred to the Sports docket.[3]

George Magoha joined Maseno University in Kisumu County as a professor of surgery to the School of Medicine on 17 January 2023 and was due to start his new role.[14] [15]

Death

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Magoha died following a suspected cardiac arrest at the Nairobi Hospital, on 24 January 2023, aged 70.[16] He had collapsed at home before being rushed to the hospital where he later succumbed after efforts to resuscitate him were futile.[17][18]

Magoha was known to be tough-talking and no-nonsense during his tenure at the Ministry of Education, where he served at the helm as a Cabinet Secretary.[19][20]

Achievements

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Magoha was the author of a book, Tower of Transformational Leadership, published by Kenway Publications in 2017. It is an autobiographical account of his experience as a leader in various roles in medicine, surgery, academia and the community.[5] As of May 2017, he was the chairman of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Board.[5]

Magoha is also celebrated for playing a key role in transforming the education sector both as a lecturer at the University of Nairobi and during his tenure at the Minister of Education.[21]

In his 12 year tenure at the University of the Nairobi, he served as the Chairman of the Academic Department of Surgery, Dean of the School of Medicine and Principal of the College of Health Sciences.

UoN Vice Chancellor – 2005. During his tenure he helped enhance accountability at the finance department as and the quality teaching and discipline among the students.

Chair the Kenya National Examination Council (KNEC) – 2016.

Succession table as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nairobi

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Preceded by
Crispus Makau Kiamba
2002 – 2005
 Vice Chancellor of the University of Nairobi
2005 – 2015 		Succeeded by
Peter Mbithi
2015 – 2019

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Rushdie Oudia (17 January 2023). "Ex-Education CS George Magoha returns to class as don". Business Daily Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  2. ^ Nairobi News (26 March 2019). "George Magoha sworn in as Education CS" (Video). Nairobi News. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  3. ^ a b Davis Ayega (26 March 2019). "Magoha to take over as Education CS after taking oath of office". Nairobi: 98.4 Capital FM. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  4. ^ Kenya Today (1 March 2019). "How 91-page CV landed professor CS George Magoha in Education ministry". Nairobi: Kenya-Today.com. Retrieved 1 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h Aduda, David (26 May 2017). "Prof Magoha: The 'buffalo' who tamed university students". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 26 March 2019.
  6. ^ "George Magoha 2nd July 1952 – Google Search". www.google.com. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  7. ^ Nyeti, Swala. "Former Education CS George Magoha lands a new job at Maseno University". Swala Nyeti. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  8. ^ "HON. GEORGE ALBERT OMORE MAGOHA". Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  9. ^ Trending Kenya (14 November 2019). "Professor George Magoha CV & Education Background: Profile, Family, Tribe, Net worth and Place of Birth". Nairobi: Trending.co.ke. Retrieved 20 November 2019.
  10. ^ David Aduda (2 January 2017). "Exams chief reveals how cartels tried to terrify him". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  11. ^ Paul Thoronjo (16 June 2017). "How Prof Magoha dismantled exam cheating cartels". The Standard (Kenya). Nairobi. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  12. ^ Mwakera Mwajefa, Gitonga Marete (30 December 2016). "No irregularities realised in 2016 Form Four exams, says Matiang'i". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  13. ^ Owino, Samwel (20 March 2019). "With MPs' approval, George Magoha set for Education CS office". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
  14. ^ Mogendi, Felix (20 March 2019). "With MPs' approval, George Magoha set for Education CS office". Education Updates. Nairobi/. Retrieved 18 January 2023.
  15. ^ Harold Odhiambo. "Former Education CS George Magoha lands job at Maseno University". The Standard. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  16. ^ Prof George Magoha Dies Aged 71, Capital News. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  17. ^ Wangari, Stephanie. "Former Education CS George Magoha dies". The Standard. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  18. ^ DESK, EDITORIAL (24 January 2023). "Prof George Magoha dies aged 71 » Capital News". Capital News. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  19. ^ pm, Mark Obar on 24 January 2023-7:47. "George Magoha: Memorable Moments of Former Education CS". Kenyans.co.ke. Retrieved 24 January 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ "The life and times of former Education CS Prof. George Magoha". Citizen Digital. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 24 January 2023.
  21. ^ "The life and times of former Education CS Prof. George Magoha". Citizen Digital. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
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