Moses Kuria Proposes Renaming TUK in Honour of Raila Odinga

Former Cabinet Secretary and Presidential Advisor Moses Kuria has proposed renaming the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, citing his contribution to engineering and technical education.

Kuria has formally written to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba requesting that the university be renamed “Raila Odinga Technical University.” He said the opposition leader’s academic background and professional career in engineering make him a fitting figure to be commemorated in this way. 

Odinga studied at Madelberg College in Germany and later lectured at the University of Nairobi’s School of Engineering. Kuria also noted the historical connection between TUK and the University of Nairobi. 

Formerly known as the Kenya Polytechnic, TUK once served as the engineering faculty of the university, a link he believes strengthens the case for renaming the institution. 

“If I were CS, I would do it straight away,” Kuria said.

Renaming a public university in Kenya involves a rigorous legal and administrative process. Under the Universities Act (No. 42 of 2012, Revised 2016), the Technical University of Kenya Charter (2013), and the Constitution, any such change requires institutional approval, stakeholder consultation, and executive endorsement.

The process begins with a formal proposal submitted to the university’s governing body, the University Council. The Council must assess the proposal’s historical significance, its impact on the institution’s identity, and its alignment with national education objectives. 

If the Council supports the proposal, it must then consult key stakeholders, including the Senate, Vice-Chancellor, staff, students, alumni, and the public.

Public consultation is a key stage in the process, especially for a national institution such as TUK. 

Stakeholder feedback helps determine whether the proposed change reflects the wider community’s views and preserves the university’s mission. If the proposal is endorsed at the institutional level, the Council forwards it to the Commission for University Education (CUE). The Commission reviews it for legal and regulatory compliance before sending it to the Cabinet Secretary for Education. 

The final decision rests with the President, after which the change is formally published in the Kenya Gazette to give it legal effect. Raila Odinga, a central figure in the country’s democratic development and a long-time advocate of education and devolution, has played a prominent role in shaping national policy.