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.
by SHARON MWENDE
