Prof Joshua J. Akong’a
It is with deep sorrow that Moi University wishes to announce the untimely death of Prof Joshua J Akong’a on 7th February, 2017. Until his death he was a professor in the School of Art and Social Sciences.
Son of the late Jason Omukokwa and the late Jennifer Okisa of Esiandurna location, Bunyore South. West, Vihiga County. Brother of Wilfred Olukune, John Kwendo, the late Robert Otieno, Rispah Ariko and Phanice Jason. Husband of Mary Naliaka. Father of Adelaide Amimo (Macharia Macharia – Mwangi and Njeru Advocates), Mark Jason (Moi University), Cynthia Jennifer (Hand in Hand Eastern Africa), Humphrey Joseph (Norway), Aldrine Otieno and Jennifer Kwanzu. Uncle of Harold Jason Oukokwa (South Africa), Leverah Olukune (U.K), Yvonne Olukune (UK), Bradley Aseka, Jemimah Wafula, Les Kwendo, Jason Kwendo, Bouldrine Kwendo, Mercy Okisa and McDonald. Grandfather of Dorina Omukokwa.
There will be a fund raising on Wednesday, 15th February, 2017 at 4pm at Sirikwa Hotel to offset funeral expenses. The body will be removed from Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital Mortuary on Thursday, 16th February, 2017 at 8.30 a.m.
A requiem mass will take place on the same day at 10.00 am at St. Mathews ACK Church, Eldoret. Burial will take place on Saturday 18th February, 2017 at Majengo Village, Mwamba sub location in Lumakanda.
Friends, family and colleagues are meeting daily at 4.30pm at Sirikwa Hotel for funeral arrangements.
Write Tribute…rip uncle
Tribute to a teacher who left the door ajar
Stop! Everyone, stop!
Bring our the coffin
in which his body lies
And let us eulogise our professor,
our teacher, our mentor
For he left the door ajar
For those who don’t know him,
but could there be any
Here lays the father of anthropol-
ogy
at Moi University,
The first professor of anthropol-
ogy in Kenya,
And with others, the father of
African anthropology
For he left the door ajar
Giving it an African twist
He developed the insider per-
spective innovation
Away from the imperialistic
study of the “other”
For he left the door ajar
Prof. Joshua Jason Akong’a, you
continue to live,
In many who sat at your feet
Now academic giants, because
they stand on your shoulders
For you left the door ajar
Thank you for the humility we
continue to learn from you
Fare thee well, Professor
Till we meet again. For we
surely will
For you left the door ajar
What a painful way to find out Prof. Akonga is gone. I googled him up as I was about to send him a note when I saw the Moi University notice. May God grant him eternal rest after all the work he has done!