The Kenyan sports fraternity is in mourning following the sudden death of Paul Agali Otula, President of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) and former Principal of Maseno School. Otula passed away on Thursday morning after suffering a cardiac arrest at his home in Nairobi. His body has since been moved to the Lee Funeral Home.
Otula was a towering presence in both the education and sports sectors. He first ascended to the KBF presidency in 2008 after defeating then-incumbent George Omondi in a decisive 26-5 vote. In 2021, he retained the seat in a hotly contested election, edging out Cynthia Mumbo by 57 votes to 45. Throughout his tenure, Otula worked tirelessly to uplift the game of basketball in Kenya, with a vision to make it competitive on the continental stage.
In a statement, the Kenya Basketball Federation paid tribute to its fallen leader. “Otula was a dedicated leader, mentor, and towering figure in Kenyan basketball. His passion, vision, and service to the game and the nation will never be forgotten,” the statement read.
Beyond basketball, Otula left an indelible mark in education. As the long-serving Principal of Maseno School—one of Kenya’s most prestigious secondary institutions—he was widely admired for balancing academic excellence with co-curricular development. Under his leadership, Maseno produced well-rounded students who excelled both in the classroom and on the field.
Otula also played a significant role at the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK), serving as an executive committee member from 2021. His multifaceted leadership won him admiration across the sports landscape.
Tributes have poured in from across Kenya and beyond. Former KBF presidential challenger Cynthia Mumbo shared a heartfelt message: “Chairman, we spoke last week. You shared that you couldn’t come to Kisumu because of some national duty. I stood against you in the last election. We left with much respect for each other. I am beyond words.”
Paul Otula’s legacy as an educator, sports administrator, and visionary leader will live on. He is remembered not only for his accomplishments but also for the integrity and passion he brought to every role he held.
May his soul rest in eternal peace.
