President William Ruto and his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta led Kenyans in mourning former Education Cabinet Secretary Prof George Omore Magoha.
President William Ruto also mourned the late CS describing him as a friend. He further stated that the family need much support as they were also mourning the death of Magoha's brother.
"I have learnt with great sorrow about the passing of Prof. George Magoha, EGH. Prof. Magoha is a towering giant of our time, a great man who stood tall in the academy, where he excelled in learning, teaching and research, as well as in administration, where he led robust turnaround interventions at the University of Nairobi and the Exams Council," President Ruto stated in a statement.
The head of state praised his work during the period he had to work with him while serving as the Deputy President in the previous Uhuru's regime.
"Prof. Magoha also famously served as the Cabinet Secretary for Education. Throughout his tenure, he evinced a commitment to high standards in public service and uncompromising integrity," he stated.
Before working with the late CS in the government, Ruto had also worked with him in various places.
"I have been privileged to know and work with the late Professor in many capacities, from the university where I completed my post-graduate studies, to government, where he served with distinction as the chair of KNEC and later as my colleague in Cabinet," he announced.
Ruto noted that the whole world had lost a great person who left behind a great legacy.
"We have lost a gifted, unique, distinguished and great servant of Kenya. I join Kenyans and people from other parts of the world in mourning the passing of Prof. Magoha. I also send condolences to his family and pray that Almighty God grants them divine comfort and grace in this moment of grief," he uttered.
Magoha's family confirmed that he passed away on Tuesday, January 24, evening.
On his part, former President Uhuru Kenyatta celebrated the late CS as a person who left behind a great legacy in public service.
The former head of state consoled the family and wished them comfort during this trying time.
"It is unfortunate and painful that we've lost my friend Prof George Magoha at a time when his family is mourning his brother," the former President stated.
According to the family, Magoha suffered a cardiac arrest while receiving treatment at the Nairobi Hospital.
The hospital's Chief Executive Officer James Nyamongo confirmed the demise, stating that Magoha breathed his last shortly after arriving at the facility.
Magoha's close friend, Dr Walter Mwanda, recounted the last moments before his took his last breath.
Speaking to the press at the Lee Funeral Home, Dr Mwanda noted that he was on duty at the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) when he received a call from Magoha's wife, Dr Barbra Odudu.
His demise came days after landing a new job at Maseno University to serve as a professor of surgery at the institution's School of Medicine.
