Babu Owino: Magoha was the best decision Uhuru Kenyatta made

 A collage of Embakasi East MP Babu Owino and the late Prof George Magoha.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino has lauded the late Prof George Magoha as one of the most astute Cabinet Secretaries in former President Uhuru Kenyatta's regime.

Joining the country in eulogizing the immediate former Education CS, Babu recalled the last words Magoha told him when he was graduating from the University of Nairobi.

"Babu you are tried and tested and you can be anything in this country. Go and save this country."

The legislator served as a student leader during Prof Magoha's reign as UoN Vice-Chancellor and although they clashed on a number of issues, he has always held the academician in high regard.

Also read: Tracing the footsteps of Magoha the musician

"You were the best decision Uhuru Kenyatta made during his tenure," wrote Babu.

Prof Magoha collapsed at his Nairobi home at around 3pm on Tuesday, January 24, and was rushed to Nairobi Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

According to Prof Walter Mwanda, a doctor and close friend of the deceased, he received a call from Magoha's wife Dr Barbara, who asked him to rush to their home.

"I was at a clinic at the Kenyatta National Hospital seeing a patient. Upon receiving Dr. Barbara's call, I called a colleague to take over [my doctor duties].

"I rushed to my car, and as I was driving, away from the KNH, about four kilometres, she (Dr. Barbara Magoha) called again and asked me whether I had a blood pressure machine. I told her I would get one," he said.

Also read: Magoha's last moments

Prof Mwanda went back to his clinic, got a blood pressure machine, and began driving towards Magoha's home.

Before he arrived, Magoha's wife sent him an SMS asking him to get an ambulance. Upon arriving at the home, he was quickly ushered in and went to where the former CS was seated.

"He was seated. He greeted me and said 'oh, you have come'. [I told him yes]. I then began taking his blood pressure [reading]. It wasn't recording. At that time, he slipped off from his sitting position..From the information that we have received, he had what we call a collapse. He was resuscitated back by his son, who is a medical doctor.

"One hundred metres to the casualty wing of the Nairobi Hospital, he collapsed again. He was rushed to the casualty ward. Attempts were made to resuscitate him, but the doctors were unable to revive him," said Mwanda.

Magoha died at the age of 71 and leaves behind his wife Dr Barbara Magoha and son Dr Michael Magoha.

 The late Prof George Magoha. [Michael Mute, Standard]