NAIROBI, Kenya — Kenya’s basketball community has been dealt a heartbreaking blow with the sudden passing of Paul Otula, the long-serving president of the Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF). Otula, 65, succumbed to a cardiac arrest early Thursday morning at his home in Nairobi.
His body was later transferred to Lee Funeral Home, where close friends and family gathered in grief.
Otula wasn’t just a basketball administrator—he was a builder, a mentor, and a force behind the growth of the game in Kenya. His passing leaves behind a legacy of leadership both on and off the court.
The Man Who Shaped Modern Kenyan Basketball
Otula took the helm of the KBF in 2008 after a decisive victory over incumbent George Omondi in a vote held at Nyayo Stadium, and remained a fixture in Kenyan hoops for over a decade.
His re-election in 2021, where he edged out challenger Cynthia Mumbo 57-45 in a closely watched race, reaffirmed the respect he commanded within the federation.
In his victory speech, Otula made no bones about his ambitions: he was determined to push Kenyan basketball to the continental stage—and he worked tirelessly toward that goal.
More Than a Federation President: Otula the Educator
Long before he took center stage in Kenyan basketball, Otula was revered in educational circles. As the principal of Maseno School and Mang’u School, at different times, he nurtured a generation of students with a blend of academic rigor and co-curricular excellence.
In many ways, Otula embodied the spirit of well-rounded excellence—pushing boundaries in classrooms and sports halls alike.
His role as an executive committee member of the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) from 2021 only widened his influence, positioning him as a voice for athletes across disciplines.
A Legacy That Transcends Rivalries
News of Otula’s death sparked an outpouring of tributes, not only from basketball circles but from Kenya’s wider sports community. Former KBF rival Cynthia Mumbo, who ran against him in 2021, shared an emotional 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,” she wrote on social media.
It’s a poignant reminder that while sports can be competitive, respect transcends rivalry. For Otula, leadership wasn’t about dominance—it was about service. And for those who knew him, his legacy will not be measured only in titles or trophies, but in the impact he had on people.
As the country mourns, it also celebrates a life that touched thousands. And while Otula may no longer walk among us, the foundations he laid—on court, in classrooms, and in leadership halls—will echo for generations.
