Kisii County governor James Ongwae (centre) pays his last respect to renowned academician Prof. Joseph Nyasani during his burial that took place at Nyabururu Village, Kisii County on March 18, 2016. PHOTO | BENSON MOMANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Summary
- The sombre occasion, with scores of mourners in attendance, marked the end of a chequered professional and academic career for a man regarded as one of the foremost scholars and philosophers in the country.
- Former United States ambassador to Kenya Mr Michael Ranneberger, who attended the burial, called on Kenyans to embrace peace, unity and reconciliation.
- Former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof Sam Ongeri said he would remember the late don for his discipline, patience and hard work.
- Professor Nyasani obtained a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in the Urbanian University in Rome, Italy and later proceeded for a postgraduate degree in philosophy. He also had degrees from Woodstock, Oxford in England and New York University’s School of Law.
Father Lawrence Mandere of the Nyabururu Catholic Parish presided over the burial mass.
The
sombre occasion, with scores of mourners in attendance, marked the end
of a chequered professional and academic career for a man regarded as
one of the foremost scholars and philosophers in the country.
Former
United States ambassador to Kenya Mr Michael Ranneberger, who attended
the burial, called on Kenyans to embrace peace, unity and
reconciliation.
“Funerals are sad times when we have to
part with our loved ones. However, they should also be an occasion for
us to reflect on their contribution to our lives,” he said.
He eulogized the late professor as his “great friend” and said that he will “miss him dearly”.
Mr
Ranneberger praised Prof Nyasani for being the first doctor of
philosophy (Phd) holder and professor to return to Kenya soon after
independence.
“In coming back to Kenya, he showed
tremendous commitment to the nation. He practically demonstrated his
faith in Kenya’s potential to grow and prosper. This was patriotism that
all should emulate,” he said.
Former Foreign Affairs Minister Prof Sam Ongeri said he would remember the late don for his discipline, patience and hard work.
Prof
Ongeri who is the Kenyan ambassador to the United Nations Environmental
Program (UNEP) said that Prof Nyasani was “an exemplary academic”.
He recalled having appointed him to head the university senate of Kisii University.
DISTINGUISHED CAREER
“During
my tenure as minister of education, I appointed him to head the Kisii
University management board as a result of his academic accomplishments
and proven leadership qualities,” he told mourners.
Earlier,
the burial had taken a controversial twist when a struggle emanated
between rival family members from different denominations who sought to
bury the late professor.
The standoff spilled over to the parish grounds, with some attempting to take the coffin bearing his remains away.
However,
quick intervention from Prof Nyasani’s senior relatives and clergy men
calmed the situation. He was eventually buried as a member of the
Catholic Church.
Other dignitaries who attended the
burial included Kisii County Governor Mr James Ongwae and Kitutu Chache
South MP Richard Onyonka.
Professor Nyasani obtained a
bachelor’s degree in Philosophy in the Urbanian University in Rome,
Italy and later proceeded for a postgraduate degree in philosophy.
He also had degrees from Woodstock, Oxford in England and New York University’s School of Law.
The
late professor will be remembered for breaking a 300-year record by
writing his dissertation in Latin while doing his doctorate in Germany
in 1963.
He had 41 titles to his name and authored
several books in philosophy especially metaphysics, logic, cosmology and
legal philosophy.
He is survived by eight children living and working in several countries including Germany, UK, US and Kenya.
The
university don passed away on February 1, at the Aga Khan Hospital
where he had been admitted as a result of liver, kidney, and heart
complications.
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