Former Education Minister Oloo Aringo dies at a Nairobi hospital

Former Moi-era Minister and Alego Usonga Member of Parliament Peter Castro Oloo Aringo is dead.

Incumbent Alego Usonga MP Sam Atandi made the announcement on Friday via a statement on X, stating that the deceased passed away at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

"I break the sad news of the sudden demise of Hon Oloo Aringo, former Cabinet Minister & MP Alego Usonga. Hon Aringo passed on this evening at Aga Khan hospital in Nairobi," stated Atandi.

A graduate of the University of Nairobi and Toronto University, Aringo entered politics in 1974, winning his first MP election with strong support from influential figures, including the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga.

During his first term, he initiated key bills in Parliament, including proposals for a Truth and Reconciliation Commission and a Parliamentary Service Commission, both of which faced initial setbacks but were eventually revived in 2002.

Over 15 years, Aringo held multiple ministerial roles, including Information and Broadcasting, Environment, Labour, Education, as well as Employment, and also represented Alego-Usonga Constituency.

During his stint as Education Minister, Aringo notably introduced the 8-4-4 education system and expanded the Kenya Science Teachers’ College and launched the Kenya Technical Trainers’ College (KTTC) to address the needs of the new technical education system.

Aringo was also responsible for introducing bills in Parliament that successfully transformed Moi, Maseno, and Egerton universities into public institutions.

It was during his third term as the Alego-Usonga MP that late president Daniel Moi made him an Assistant Education minister before eventually appointing him a full Minister.