Ebby Kavai, celebrated teacher and CEO of Kakamega Investment Agency, dies at 60

Ms Ebby Kavai, a distinguished teacher and school principal who later joined the Kakamega County Government as the Minister for Education, Science and Technology, has died. She was 60.

Ms Kavai died yesterday (Sunday, January 26, 2020) morning while receiving treatment at the at Aga Khan hospital, Kisumu, where she has been battling cancer.

The mother of two was diagnosed with cancer in 2019 at Aga Khan Hospital Kisumu where she underwent chemotherapy and was due for surgery but died before doctors could conduct the procedure.

In his condolence message, Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya expressed shock at the death of Ms Kavai. At the time of her death she was the CEO of the Kakamega Investment Agency.

“It is with a deep sense of loss, sorrow and shock that I learnt of the death of Ebby Kavai. She was a true professional, who offered her all to her duty,” said the governor in a statement. The passing on of Ms Kavai has robbed Kakamega County of a respected education ad-ministrator and an amiable and hardworking CEO who was committed to turning around the economic development of our great county,” he added.

“On behalf of my government, my family and on my own behalf, I wish to convey my heartfelt condolences to the family, relatives and all the staff of the County Government of Kakamega for this great loss. May the Lord receive and keep her soul in eternal peace. I pray to Almighty God to give you the strength to bear the tragic loss,” Mr Oparanya told her family and friends.

Ms Kavai, 60, was born in Sabatia, Vihiga County, and trained as a teacher at Kenyatta University.

She was first hired by the Ministry of Education as a lecturer and posted to Kericho Training College and later moved to Kaimosi and Moi Girls’ Vokoli as a deputy principal.

She was promoted to Principal of Bishop Sulumeti Girls’ High School, Lugari, in 2000 and later transferred to Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls’ in 2007.

But in 2015, Oparanya persuaded her to quit school administration and appointed her County Executive Committee Member for Education, Science and Technology.

In 2018, she was appointed the CEO of Kakamega Investment Agency.