Basketball boss and educationist Paul Otula mourned as towering figure in sports
According to his family, the late Otula suffered breathing problems and later on succumbed in the mid-afternoon on Thursday
Messages of condolences have continued to pour in veteran sports administrator and educationist Paul Otula who sadly passed on at his Nairobi home on Labor Day following a cardiac arrest.
The 61-year-old was until his untimely death the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) President and a member of the Executive Committee in the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK).
According to his family, the late Otula suffered breathing problems and later on succumbed in the mid-afternoon on Thursday. A long-serving teacher, Otula is known for building sports history at Maseno School as principal while also coaching basketball and being an educationist at Mang’u High School with big affinity for success. A towering figure in literal sense, many of his compatriots in the Kenya Sports’ scene described him as the “gentle giant”.
Outgoing NOCK President Paul Tergat described the fallen coach as a man who was a respected academic, and a towering figure in Kenya’s sports fraternity. Tergat mourned his colleague as a remarkable leader, mentor, and friend whose contribution to sport and education in Kenya has been truly transformative.
“It is with profound shock and deep sorrow that I have learnt of the passing of my friend, colleague and NOC-K Executive Board Member, Mr Paul Otula. This is an incredibly painful loss, not only to NOC-K, but to the wider, the academic sector, and our nation at large. Paul was a firm yet remarkably amiable and humble gentleman. He possessed a rare ability to build bridges, restore calm and illuminate even the darkest of situations with wisdom and grace.”
“As a respected academic and sports administrator, he gave himself wholly to every cause he believed in. His contributions, particularly in the growth of basketball and youth development, have left an enduring mark on Kenyan sports. To his family, my colleague on the NOCK Executive Board, the Olympic Movement in Kenya, the basketball fraternity, and all who knew and worked with him, I extend my heartfelt condolences during this time of profound grief. May the Almighty grant us strength and fortitude as we mourn this irreplaceable loss. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” Tergat said.
On his part, NOCK Secretary General Francis Mutuku remembered the late Otula as a caring person. In a brief Facebook post, Mutuku, who is now eying the NOCK presidency, stated: “ A gentle soul overshadowing the tall and strong person. Passionately caring and the person you would always want in your corner. It has been a privilege and an honour to call Otula a friend.”
KBF also gave a moving tribute to their fallen Boss in a statement shared to newsrooms. “It is with immense sorrow that the Kenya Basketball Federation announces the sudden passing of our Chairman, Mr Paul Agali Otula, HSC, earlier today (May 1,2025). Mr 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. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and the entire basketball community. Further details will be shared in due course. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President in charge of Performance and Delivery Management Eliud Owalo also mourned his departed friend.
“It is with deep sorrow that I have learnt of the sudden death of long-serving Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) Chairman Paul Otula. Otula had a chequered career as a teacher of no mean repute; Principal of both Mang’u High School and Maseno School; and an icon in basketball circles. I have over the past decade worked closely with the late Otula in supporting various Basketball initiatives through the Eliud Owalo Foundation. At this moment of grief, I convey my condolences to his family, relatives, and friends plus both the teaching and basketball fraternity in Kenya. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”
At the time of his death, Otula had submitted his name vying for the deputy treasurer post in the forthcoming NOCK elections.
