Former Presidential Advisor and Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria now wants the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) to be named in honor of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
In a
statement, Kuria noted that Raila, who was a lecturer at the University of
Nairobi (UoN) School of Engineering, was an ardent believer in technical education
since his days at Madelberg College in Germany.
He pointed
out that TUK, previously The Kenya Polytechnic, was once the Engineering wing of
the University of Nairobi.
“I have
today written to Education CS Julius Ogamba requesting to rename the Technical
University of Kenya into Raila Odinga Technical University. If I were CS, I would
do it straight away,” he said.
According to
Kuria, the renaming will be a recognition of the late opposition leader's
significant contributions to technical and engineering education.
The process of renaming a public university in Kenya is governed by the
Universities Act, No. 42 of 2012 (Revised 2016), the Technical University of
Kenya Charter, 2013, and the Constitution of Kenya.
Any such change requires consultations with the University Council and
Senate, the Commission for University Education (CUE), students, staff unions,
the public, and alumni.
The first step usually begins with a proposal or petition,
which can be submitted by government officials, members of the public, alumni, or
other stakeholders.
This proposal is directed to the governing body of the institution, such as
the University Council for a university,
which is responsible for oversight and administration.
The Council then considers the merits of the proposal, examining historical
context, the significance of the name change, and its potential impact on the
institution’s identity and operations.
Once the Council supports the proposal, it must consult widely with key
stakeholders.
This includes institutional leaders (like the
Vice-Chancellor and Senate), staff
unions, students, alumni, and sometimes the broader
public, especially when the institution holds national
significance.
These consultations ensure that the change reflects the views and interests
of those directly affected.
After completing consultations, the Council
formally recommends the name change to the Commission
for University Education (CUE) or the relevant regulatory
authority for technical or vocational institutions.
The regulatory body reviews the recommendation, verifies compliance with
legal requirements, and may request additional information before approval.
If the proposal receives approval from the
regulatory body, it is then submitted to the Cabinet
Secretary in charge of Education.
The final step is presidential approval and formal gazettement,
which involves publication in the Kenya Gazette, giving the name change legal
effect.
Only after this step does the new name become official and enforceable in
all official documents, signage, and branding associated with the institution.
This process ensures that renaming is carefully considered, legally compliant, and widely supported,
rather than being implemented unilaterally, protecting the interests of
students, staff, alumni, and the public.
If approved,
renaming TUK to Raila Odinga Technical University would serve as a significant
posthumous honor for the fallen father of devolution, acknowledging his
enduring impact on the country.
