Former Cabinet Secretary and former Presidential Advisor Hon. Moses Kuria has stirred national debate after proposing that the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) be renamed Raila Odinga Technical University, in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Amolo Odinga.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Kuria praised Odinga’s lifelong commitment to technical education and engineering excellence, describing him as one of Kenya’s most outstanding champions of industrial and vocational learning.
“The Technical University of Kenya (TUK), previously The Kenya Polytechnic, was once the engineering wing of the University of Nairobi. Engineer Raila Odinga was not just a lecturer at UON School of Engineering — he was also an ardent believer in technical education since his days at Madelberg College in Germany,” Kuria wrote.
Kuria revealed that he has formally written to Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba, requesting that the ministry consider renaming the institution in Odinga’s honour.
“I have today written to Education CS Julius Ogamba requesting to rename Technical University of Kenya into Raila Odinga Technical University. If I was CS, I would do it straight away,” he added.
The proposal, coming shortly after the passing of the veteran opposition leader, has sparked a range of reactions across the political divide. Many supporters have lauded Kuria for recognizing Raila’s contribution to Kenya’s education and engineering sectors, while others see the move as politically symbolic in the wake of Odinga’s death.
Raila Odinga, who studied mechanical engineering in Germany before returning to teach at the University of Nairobi, has long been celebrated for his belief in practical, skills-based education. He was instrumental in championing the growth of technical and vocational training institutions across the country during his years in public service.
If adopted, the renaming would not only immortalize Odinga’s legacy in the field of engineering but also mark one of the most significant national tributes to a leader whose impact spanned politics, education, and industrial development.
