UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar has proposed the establishment of a new legacy project within the University of Nairobi in honour of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
While speaking on Wednesday, during a debate at the renowned university, Omar said there was a need to establish the Raila Odinga School of Government at UoN.
According to the Secretary General, the school would serve as a centre for research, policy innovation and leadership development by bringing in scholars, political leaders and policymakers to strengthen democratic governance.
Omar also called on African political parties to invest in ideological schools and research institutions to guide their movements with informed and evidence-based policies.
The Secretary General believes that such think tanks can be key in grooming a new generation of leaders capable of challenging political promises and linking them to real-life challenges affecting citizens.
Already, Kenya boasts the Kenya School of Government, a flagship institution established to build capacity and strengthen leadership within the public service.
Founded under the Kenya School of Government Act No. 9 of 2012, KSG has evolved from earlier government training centers to become the premier hub for training public servants in leadership, service delivery and management.
KSG has campuses spread across the country and offers a variety of programmes designed to equip civil servants with the skills needed to implement government policies effectively and promote good governance. One of its core mandates includes fostering a culture of transparency, accountability and professionalism within the public sector.
Notably, KSG works closely with ministries, agencies and international partners to ensure its courses are practical and relevant to the ever-changing Kenyan governance landscape and challenges.
With this in mind, a proposed Raila School of Government at UoN would complement the work of KSG by focusing more on political leadership and democratic governance since KSG emphasises public service capacity.
The proposal adds to the growing deliberations on the best way to honour Raila Odinga for posterity. Reports indicate the national funeral committee, tasked with overseeing Raila’s state burial, is considering several proposals.
This includes a national concert to be held at Uhuru Park on October 31, a monument, and the renaming of public institutions in honour of Raila.
During his burial ceremony on Sunday, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga called on President William Ruto to consider renaming the upcoming Talanta Stadium to Raila Odinga Talanta Stadium as a way to immortalise the departed ODM boss, who was an ardent fan of football.
