Celebrated African history scholar Prof. Bethwell Allan Ogot has died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Kisumu.
He is widely remembered for his pioneering contributions to the study of African history, particularly the history of East Africa.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has joined friends and friends in mourning Ogot.
“Prof. Bethwel Ogot was in the category of the now increasingly rare and outnumbered internationally known, deep, independent and professional scholars who treasured academic excellence and the value of knowledge to a community and a nation,” he said in a statement.
“Because of his scholarly work, we have a deeper understanding of who we are as Kenyans, the road we have travelled and the distance we still have to cover as a people. In his death, Kenya, and indeed the world, has lost a treasure who will be deeply missed.”
“I send my thoughts and prayers to his family and friends, as our nation mourns his loss. His legacy will however endure in the many works of history that he leaves behind,” he added.
His sentiments were shared by Siaya Governor James Orengo, who stated,”Prof. Bethwel Ogot is one of the greatest scholars of our time. He has left a legacy of seminal works and historical treatises. A true thinker and intellectual par excellence. He now ‘belongs to the ages.’ Rest in eternal peace,”
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also wrote,”My heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and the academic fraternity following the passing of Prof. Bethwel Allan Ogot, who was one of the few remaining pioneer African scholars. In his long and illustrious career, Prof. Ogot contributed immensely to national development as a teacher, historian, publisher and university administrator,”
“The eminent and versatile scholar, who started off as a mathematician, hoisted Kenya’s name high by almost single-handedly heaving the weight of African history and thrusting it on the global stage. We mourn this monument of scholarly enterprise,” he added.
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