On this solemn occasion marking the 30th anniversary of the passing of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Kenya’s Second Vice President, we reflect on the enduring legacy of a man who played a pivotal role in the nation’s struggle for independence.
Several institutions stand as lasting tributes to the remarkable contributions of Jaramogi Odinga, honouring his dedication to the betterment of Kenya.
JOOUST
Founded in 2009 as Bondo University College and later gaining university charter in 2013, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST) stands as a prominent institution in Bondo, Siaya County.
Offering a diverse range of courses, including Agricultural and Food Sciences, Biological and Physical Sciences, Business and Economics, Education, Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, Humanities & Social Sciences, Informatics & Innovative Systems, Mathematics and Actuarial Science, and Spatial Planning and Natural Resource Management.
The University is located in Bondo town, in Siaya County in the western part of Kenya, approximately 62 kilometres by road, west of the city of Kisumu.
Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Complex
In 2020, Kisumu County undertook an initiative to rename the Jomo Kenyatta Sports Grounds in Kisumu County to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex.
The renaming ceremony marked a significant moment, attended by dignitaries such as the then President Uhuru Kenyatta, Raila Amolo Odinga, and Kisumu Governor Prof. Peter Anyang Nyong’o.
This iconic recreational centre within the City of Kisumu received a new name to immortalize the legacy of the first Vice President of the Republic of Kenya, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
There was a commitment of Ksh100 million by the county government for its upgrade.
JOOTRH
With a history spanning over a century, the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) in Kisumu City has played a crucial role in providing healthcare services to more than 10 counties in the Western Kenya Region.
Originally established in 1969 as the New Nyanza Provincial General Hospital, it underwent a revival and renaming in 2012 to honour its originator, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.
Known colloquially as “Russia Hospital,” its unique nickname traces back to a historic meeting in 1964 when then Vice President Jaramogi Oginga Odinga secured funding from the Soviet Union to build this hospital.
Despite facing challenges, JOOTRH continues to expand its services, currently boasting a bed capacity of 710, and remains a vital healthcare institution in the region.
Other institutions and roads
Other institutions named after Jaramogi Oginga Odinga include Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Secondary School in Bondo Constituency, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Foundation and Oginga Odinga Street in Kisumu County.
