‘He Signed My 7 Suspension Letters,’Ndege Sirikal Encounter With Late Magoha
The death of Former Education CS was received by great shock from leaders and Kenyan Citizens at large. This has seen several Condolence messages being passed to the family with different descriptions on the Late’s personality.
Okungu Ndege Serikal also had his say as he remembers having a personal encounter with Late Prof. during his stay at The University of Nairobi.
Serikal notes that the Late signed 7 of his suspension letters
‘I have a lot to say about this man, its impossible to write everything i learnt, liked or disliked in a single paragraph.. ..While serving as the distinguished Vice Chancellor of the mighty UoN, he signed 7 of my suspension letters, 2 expulsion letters and more than 10 reinstatement letters… ‘
He further recounts arguing with the late over a suspension letter not signed as usual.
‘I remember at one time i recieved a suspension letter for leading an “unlawful” student protest and bumped onto him in the lifts at UoN Gandhi Wing building… “Ndege what are you doing here, i thought i suspended you?” Prof spoke harshly as i entered the lift…. “I have the letter Sir but i wasn’t sure if it was from you coz unlike the other letters this one seems different” i replied… “What do you mean different?” Prof angrily asked…. I told Prof that in all his previous letters he would clearly indicate AND PROFESSOR OF SURGERY, after signing off above the title of VICE CHANCELLOR. In the letter i had, only the title Vice Chancellor was there, the other part was missing….’
The uncompromising Prof on the spot took out his pen and wrote the remaining details to confirm the suspension.
‘Prof then removed his pen and wrote AND PROFESSOR OF SURGERY under my suspension letter… “There you go young man, any other question?” Magoha posed
Serikal therefore celebrates a positive minded, calm, uncompromising and calm leader he had personal encounter with.
‘And that was Prof for you; very uncompromising with his principles and always ruthlessly imparting critical life lessons to those he led…. What i admired more about Prof was his positive mindedness in all issues he engaged in..even when he was between a rock and a hard place or on the horns of a dilemma, he always remained calm and very collected. A true leader he was… He will surely be missed!’ he wrote
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