Former senior presidential advisor Moses Kuria has petitioned the Ministry of Education to rename the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) after the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. In a letter addressed to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, Kuria said the move would honour Raila’s lifelong dedication to engineering and technical education.
He explained that Raila’s legacy as an engineer, lecturer, and strong advocate for innovation deserves lasting recognition through an institution that reflects his contribution to Kenya’s education and development.
Moses Kuria Pushes for Raila Odinga Technical University
Kuria confirmed that he had written to Education CS Julius Ogamba urging him to initiate the renaming process for the Technical University of Kenya. He argued that the late Raila Odinga’s influence in engineering and education makes him a fitting figure to be honoured by one of Kenya’s leading technical institutions.
“I have today written to Education CS Julius Ogamba requesting to rename the Technical University of Kenya to Raila Odinga Technical University,” Kuria stated. “If I were CS, I would do it straight away.”
Kuria, who once served as a senior advisor in the President’s Council of Economic Advisors, said the proposal was not political but a gesture of respect for Raila’s contribution to the nation’s growth.
Why Raila Odinga Deserves the Honour
According to Kuria, Raila’s link to the Technical University of Kenya runs deep. He recalled that TUK was originally the engineering wing of the University of Nairobi (UoN), where Raila once served as a lecturer. Later, it became known as the Kenya Polytechnic before being upgraded to a fully-fledged university.
“Engineer Raila Odinga was not just a lecturer at the University of Nairobi School of Engineering,” Kuria explained. “He was an ardent believer in technical education since his days at Madelberg College in Germany.”
Kuria said renaming TUK to Raila Odinga Technical University would not only preserve Raila’s memory but also inspire future generations of engineers and innovators. He added that Raila’s dedication to empowering youth through skills-based education reflected his vision for a self-reliant Kenya.
“Raila always emphasized the importance of vocational and technical training in driving industrial growth and employment creation,” Kuria noted. “This renaming would capture his spirit and lifelong mission.”
What It Takes to Rename a University in Kenya
While Kuria’s proposal has stirred public interest, the process of renaming a public university in Kenya is detailed and guided by law. It is governed by the Universities Act No. 42 of 2012 (Revised 2016), the Technical University of Kenya Charter (2013), and the Constitution of Kenya (2010).
Under these laws, a name change can only begin through a formal proposal by the Education CS or the University Council. From there, the process must involve extensive public participation. This includes consultations with the University Council and Senate, the Commission for University Education (CUE), students, alumni, staff unions, and members of the public.
Once all views are gathered, the University Council submits its official recommendation to the Education CS, supported by feedback from stakeholders. The CS then forwards the proposal to the CUE for review and validation.
If the CUE is satisfied that the proposed name aligns with national education policy and standards, it submits its recommendation to the President through the Ministry of Education.
The president then makes the final decision. If approved, the new university name is published through a Legal Notice in the Kenya Gazette, and the university’s charter is amended to reflect the new name. From that point, the change becomes official and binding.
What the Renaming Would Mean for Kenya
If approved, the renaming of the Technical University of Kenya to Raila Odinga Technical University would stand as a national tribute to one of Kenya’s most influential political and intellectual figures.
Education experts believe that the move could strengthen Kenya’s commitment to technical education and innovation. It would also encourage students to emulate Raila’s passion for engineering, leadership, and reform.
Supporters of the idea say that naming a technical university after Raila would be symbolic of his engineering roots and his lifelong call for education-driven progress.
“This would not only be about honouring a man but also about promoting a culture of excellence, innovation, and patriotism,” Kuria said.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education and the TUK Council have not yet issued an official response to Kuria’s petition. If the proposal gains traction, it could mark the first time a major public university in Kenya is named after a politician with a professional background in engineering.
