Kenya School of TVET Mourns the Passing of Rt. Hon. Raila Amolo Odinga

The Kenya School of Technical and Vocational Education and Training (KSTVET) joins the nation in mourning the passing of the late Rt. Hon. Eng. Raila Amolo Odinga, a statesman whose contribution to Kenya’s political, social, and educational landscape remains indelible. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and to all Kenyans as we reflect on his enduring legacy of leadership, resilience, and service to the nation.

Born on 7 January 1945 in Maseno, Kisumu County, Eng. Raila Odinga was a trained mechanical engineer. He pursued his higher education in Germany, first at the Herder Institute in Leipzig and later at the Technical University of Magdeburg, where he graduated with a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. Upon returning to Kenya, he lectured briefly in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Nairobi before joining the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), where he rose to the position of Deputy Director.

Eng. Odinga’s career extended beyond engineering into business and public service. He founded and managed several enterprises in the industrial sector before transitioning fully into politics, where his technical background informed his approach to infrastructure, energy, and national development.

Throughout his distinguished public career, Rt. Hon. Odinga served the nation in various capacities, including as Minister for Energy, Minister for Roads, Public Works and Housing, and later as Kenya’s second Prime Minister from 2008 to 2013. He was also appointed as the African Union High Representative for Infrastructure Development, a role through which he championed continental integration through modern infrastructure networks.

Although he did not serve as Minister for Education, Eng. Odinga was a passionate advocate for education reform and a strong supporter of technical and vocational education. His vision for a skilled and self-reliant Kenya resonated with the ideals of TVET, which emphasise hands-on learning, innovation, and practical solutions to national challenges.

As the Kenya School of TVET, we honour his memory as a leader who combined engineering discipline with political courage and a lifelong dedication to public good. His life reminds us that technical expertise and leadership can together transform societies.

Fare thee well, Rt. Hon. Eng. Raila Amolo Odinga. Your legacy will continue to inspire generations of learners, trainers, and leaders across Kenya and beyond.