Paul Otula: Former Maseno School Principal Dies
Otula collapsed and passed away at his home. It was further alleged that he suffered from cardiac arrest.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Paul Agali Otula, a renowned educationist and former principal of Maseno School, is dead. His demise in Nairobi on early Thursday morning, May 1, has thrown the education and sports fraternity into mourning.
According to reports, Otula collapsed and passed away at his home. It was further alleged that he suffered from cardiac arrest. His body was taken to Lee Funeral Home.
Otula was a respected academician known for his dedication to developing well-rounded students through academics, sports, and community engagement.
Entrance to the Maseno School. /SCHOOLFINDER
His decades-long career in education included leadership roles as chief principal at Mang’u High School in Kiambu, Maseno School in Kisumu, and Sunshine Secondary School in Nairobi.
He started as a classroom teacher and basketball coach at Mang'u High School in 1998 and later rose to Deputy Principal and eventually Principal.
He assumed the role of Principal at Maseno School in 2001, taking over from Walter Okumu Amadi. During his leadership, the school thrived both academically and in sports, with the rugby team representing Kenya at the Dubai 7s and the basketball team clinching the Engen Africa Youth Basketball Championship title in South Africa in 2003.
His time at Maseno came to an end in 2017 following misconduct allegations, which led to his interdiction.
The renowned basketball coach later joined Sunshine Secondary School in Nairobi in 2018, where he served until 2021. He stepped down to pursue a political path, vying for the Karachuonyo parliamentary seat in the 2022 General Elections. However, his bid for the seat was unsuccessful.
Beyond his distinguished academic career, Otula made a strong mark in basketball. His tall build gave him a natural edge in coaching and bolstered his leadership within the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF).
He was first elected KBF Chairman in 2008 and served multiple terms. At the time of his passing, he was also a member of the executive board of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK). His passing has thus deeply saddened the basketball community.
A committed member of the Global Connections network — a global forum for school leaders — Otula actively contributed to international education efforts. He was also a published author and a regular speaker at workshops focused on modern teaching techniques.
After his passing, former students, both from the classroom and the basketball court, took to social media to mourn and offer condolences to his family.
"In a world full of uncertainty, Paul Agali Otula was a steady guide. With wisdom, strength, and compassion, he shaped not only my path but the person I am today. His presence was powerful yet gentle, his lessons silent but enduring," Bernard Berry commented.
Otula leaves behind a lasting legacy in both education and sports. He will be remembered as a passionate mentor who devoted his life to empowering future generations, both in school and beyond.
