On behalf of the late Prof’s family, his Son, Brian Okoth, referred to his father as a friend who left incredible legacy.  “We walk with our heads held high, Prof. gave us a good foundation. He was humorous man, a giant. Prof. Okoth Okombo was tall in stature and personality”, said Brian Okoth.

He remembered his father as a giant of academic exploits in language, leadership and culture. He gave selfless care for people; he was a committed Toastmaster who abandoned traditional prejudices and worked with blind and the deaf.

Prof. Jane Oduor, Chair , Department of Linguistics, opined that Prof. Okoth Okombo mentored her and supervised her PhD thesis. She asked staff members to take the opportunity to contribute book chapters as a memorial of the humble giant.

Prof. Karuri Mbugua described Prof. Okombo as a sharp mind, a man of integrity and a good friend to many people.  “ Four years on, we miss him,” he said.

Associate Vice Chancellor, Prof. Margaret Hutchinson described Prof. Okoth Okombo as a great Kenyan, Publisher of many articles and a book. “He was widely considered the founder of sign language studies. He was down to earth person. He loved research deeply. He was very careful with his words.  Okombo was sold to the mission of the university: transmission of knowledge. He was committed to nurturing knowledge driven society.  He convinced writers of Constitution 2010 to include Sign Language and hence he demonstrated his negotiations skills.  He was a strong and highly skilled negotiator. He contributed to local and global research, he published and changed landscapes,” she said.  

University of Nairobi Vice Chancellor, Prof. Stephen Kiama, noted that Prof. Okombo, is highly regarded as the Father of Kenya Sign Language and it was recognized in the Constitution and adopted in Kenya School for the Deaf. “Sign language has contributed to communication among deaf people; they can now follow television programs”, he said.

The University of Nairobi and Google celebrated Prof. Okoth Okombo with a Google Doodle on his 71st Birthday. Prof. Kiama said that the University of Nairobi is proud of his work.  “He was a cut above the rest and he mentored many people.  He epitomized great public speaking and he was passionate about African Languages,” he said.

Other notable speakers who remembered Prof. Okombo during the event include : Prof. John Habwe, Prof. Kithaka Wa Mberia,  Prof. Henry Indigasi, Prof. Jayne Mutiga,  Prof. Winnie Mitullah,  Dr. Jefwa Mweri,   Dr. Reginald Oduor among others.  

Prof. Okombo Lecture :  http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/handle/11295/44378