Historian Professor Bethwell Ogot.
President William Ruto has mourned the passing of celebrated historian Prof Bethwell Allan Ogot.
The family of the 95-year-old renowned Kenyan scholar said Ogot passed on after a short illness.
The celebrated scholar died while receiving treatment in Kisumu County on January 30, 2025.
The President described Prof Ogot as a gentle and wise giant who supported and motivated his family.
In a statement, Ruto prayed for strength for the friends and family of Ogot as they mourned him.
"I have received the news of the death of Prof Bethwell Ogot with sorrow. With his passing, the curtain has fallen on a long and illustrious life of selfless service, inspired leadership, and committed professionalism.
Prof Ogot pursued his vocation as a historian with peerless rigour," Ruto said.
"Through his abundant scholarly talent, he brought the discipline to life and deployed it to articulate a devoutly patriotic and proudly African intellectual agenda, which went a long way to correct the impacts of Euro-centric ideologies on our nation’s collective academic psyche."
The President said Ogot was a driven yet compassionate leader in his field of scholarship.
However, the President added, his leadership extended well beyond academic and administrative roles in the university, yet always, his commitment, compassion, patriotism, rigour and integrity always shone like a lighthouse.
"Prof Ogot was a gentle and wise giant who supported and motivated his family to excel, making his home a unique constellation of great achievers.
I join the nation in expressing condolences to the family and friends of Prof Ogot," Ruto said.
"May the Almighty God favour you with grace and divine solace.
Rest In Peace, Prof Ogot."
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Siaya Governor James Orengo are among the leaders who sent their condolences to the Ogot family.
Raila said that because of his scholarly work, the country has a deeper understanding of who they are as Kenyans, the road have traveled and the distance still have to cover as a people.
"In his death, Kenya, and indeed the world, has lost a treasure who will be deeply missed. His legacy will however endure in the many works of history that he leaves behind," Raila said in a statement.
"I send my thoughts and prayers to his family and friends as our nation mourns his loss."
Orengo celebrated Prof. Bethwel Ogot as "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," Orengo said.
