President Uhuru Kenyatta mourns Professor Abel Gitau Mugenda-Husband to former Kenyatta Unuversity VC Prof Olive Mugenda

President Kenyatta mourns Professor Mugenda

Charles Ouma

January 6, 2019 2:59 PM

Prof Mugenda passed on after a short illness

File image of former Kenyatta University VC Olive Mugenda and her husband Prof Abel Mugenda

President Uhuru Kenyatta has sent a message of condolence and encouragement to the family, relatives and friends of Professor Abel Gitau Mugenda who died yesterday after a short illness.

The deceased is the husband to accomplished scholar and former Kenyatta University Chancellor Professor Olive Mwihaki Mugenda who is currently serving as a member of the Judicial Service Commission.

The President eulogized the late Professor as a distinguished scholar and researcher whose works have added great value to education and training in the country.

In his condolence message, President Kenyatta stated that “the late Prof. Mugenda has authored and published several books and research works which will continue to help in the growth of the country’s education sector for many years to come.”

President Kenyatta eulogized the deceased as a patriot who dedicated his life to serving the country through his skills, knowledge and talent despite his great achievements and exposure to other opportunities outside Kenya.

Among his many works is the book Social Science Research: Theory and Principles’ which the President singled out as “a valuable guide to research in Africa and the developing world”.

He has authored several books in research methods including Qualitative Research Methods and Social Science Research: Theory and Principles.

His statement read in part that “The late Professor Mugenda was one of Kenya's academic and research giants who will be remembered for many years to come for his outstanding work.

Prof Mugenda has indeed imparted our young people with great knowledge on research methods not only through teaching but also through his published works. We will forever be indebted to this great scholar”.

His career saw him take up different roles with the United Nations and other International NGO’s as a researcher, and a monitoring and evaluation specialist.

He also lectured in the areas of research methods, monitoring and evaluation and statistics at the University of Nairobi, Iowa State University, Kenya Methodist University and United States International University, Kenya.

Charles Ouma