University of Eldoret Vice-Chancellor Philip Raburu Dies

University of Eldoret (UoE) Vice-Chancellor in charge of Planning, Research and Extension, Prof. Phillip Okoth Raburu, has died.

Raburu's death was confirmed on Monday, September 28, with family and members of the university community mourning his passing.

Willis Owino-Ong’or, who described Raburu as his first cousin, said the professor died at 4.30am at Eldoret Hospital after a battle with illness.

"It's a sad morning for me. I have lost my first cousin, son of my aunt, my brother in Christ and friend Prof Philip Raburu this morning at 4.30 am in Eldoret Hospital. He fought gallantly but God saw it fit to take him," he wrote.

Owino-Ong’or said Raburu had appeared to anticipate his death a day earlier, recalling words he repeatedly used while receiving care.

"Yesterday he kept saying he wanted to go 'home' but we didn't understand him. He knew. May God comfort his wife Elizabeth, children Jessie, Eugene, Steve and Joy plus the extended families," he added.

The death also prompted tributes from the University of Eldoret student community, with UoE President Faith Cherotich describing Raburu as a mentor and father figure whose contribution extended beyond his administrative responsibilities.

"Prof. Raburu was not just a leader in our University - he was a mentor, a father figure, and a true servant of knowledge. His dedication to research, innovation and student growth will never be forgotten," she wrote.

Cherotich conveyed condolences to Raburu’s family and members of the university community on behalf of students.

"On behalf of the entire UoE student fraternity, I send my deepest condolences to his family, the University management, staff and all comrades," she added.

Raburu was an associate professor of Aquatic Resources and Environmental Management. 

He hailed from Migingo Village in Kadibo Division, Kisumu County, where he began his education at Migingo Primary School before attending Maranda High and Maseno High schools for his O- and A-level education.

Raburu later joined Kenyatta University, where he graduated in 1986 with an Upper Second Class Honours degree in Bachelor of Education Science, specialising in Botany and Zoology.

He subsequently completed his Master of Science in Hydrobiology and a Doctorate in Environmental Studies at the University of Nairobi and Moi University respectively. 

Raburu also held a Doctorate Degree in Environmental Studies from Moi University, a Master of Science in Hydrology and a Bachelor of Science in Botany and Zoology from the University of Nairobi.

Before joining university academia, Raburu worked as a lecturer at Moi Teachers’, Siriba and Kisii Diploma Teacher Training Institutions for eight years.

He joined Moi University’s Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Science as an assistant lecturer in 1994 and rose through the academic ranks before becoming an associate professor at the University of Eldoret in January 2015.

Raburu also served as a hall warden, postgraduate coordinator and member of the student disciplinary committee. 

He participated in committees investigating student strikes, the UESO Constitution Review, student elections, strategic planning and performance contracting, among others.

Raburu served as a senator for 12 years across Moi University and the University of Eldoret and was actively involved in student affairs as a patron of different student organisations, including the Christian Union.

Additionally, he supervised five PhD and 41 MSc students and examined four PhD and 40 MSc students locally and internationally.

At the time of his death, he had published 51 articles in refereed journals and one book.

His work also extended beyond academia through community engagement and environmental development. Raburu had more than two decades of experience working with local communities and civil society organisations.

He was the founding director of Victoria Institute for Research on Environment and Development (VIRED) International, a national non-governmental organisation.

Raburu also served as national chairman of the Kenya Nile Basin Discourse Forum for five years and as regional vice chairman of the Nile Basin Discourse, covering the 10 Nile Basin countries.

He served as regional chairman of the Human Resource Development Working Group during the first phase of the Fisheries Management Plan for Lake Victoria.