Remembering Paul Otula, The Gentle Giant Who Elevated Kenyan Basketball

_{Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management, Mr. Eliud Owalo pays last respect to the late Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chair and Maseno School principal, Mr. Paul Agali Otula in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County on Friday. PHOTO/ ELIUD OWALO}

HOMA BAY, Kenya- Kenya’s basketball fraternity gathered in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay county on Friday to bid farewell to the former Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chair and Maseno School principal, Mr. Paul Agali Otula, who passed away suddenly earlier this month.

Mr. Otula, a towering figure both literally and figuratively, was remembered as an enthusiastic, humble, and principled leader whose impact on sport will endure for generations.

Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management, Mr. Eliud Owalo greets Kibira MP and former KBF Treasurer Peter Orero at the funeral of the late Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chair and Maseno School principal, Mr. Paul Agali Otula in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County on Friday. PHOTO/ ELIUD OWALO

Speaking during the burial ceremony, the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management, Mr. Eliud Owalo hailed the late Mr. Otula as a mentor and a man of rare character.

“Paul Otula is perhaps one of the most impactful Kenyans I have witnessed in my lifetime,” said Mr. Owalo. “He had an unmatched passion for results. When he set his eyes on something, he made sure it was delivered, yet he remained humble throughout. Humility, integrity, and a drive for results are the values that defined him. These are the virtues we should all seek to emulate.”

The late Mr. Otula is credited with spearheading the growth of basketball in Kenya, not only through his leadership at KBF but also by nurturing young talent and advocating for athlete welfare.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when many athletes were left financially stranded, Mr. Otula partnered with Mr. Owalo to mobilize support for national teams.

“At the time, I was supporting football clubs like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards,” Mr. Owalo recalled. “But one of our basketball greats, Roney Owino, challenged me to support basketball, my own game. I reached out to Otula, and together we secured subsistence funds for both the men’s and women’s national teams.”

That partnership blossomed into broader support, with the Eliud Owalo Foundation working together with KBF to organize tournaments and boost international preparations for national teams.

“Basketball became part of my life through Otula. We worked closely over the past two years to support the sport,” Mr. Owalo said.

Despite his status, Mr. Otula was known for his reserved personality. “Despite his size, he was very shy. If he needed something from you, he would not ask directly. He would send one of his officials instead,” Mr. Owalo revealed.

Mr. Owalo said their friendship spanned over three decades, beginning in 1990 at Kenyatta University during a friendly match between the KU Pirates and the KU Ex-Pirates. Mr. Otula, already an alumnus, played for the veterans’ side while Mr. Owalo, then a freshman, played for the university team. That marked the beginning of a long bond rooted in basketball.

_{Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of Performance and Delivery Management, Mr. Eliud Owalo and professor Ayiecho Olweny (in blue suit) at the funeral of the late Kenya Basketball Federation (KBF) chair and Maseno School principal, Mr. Paul Agali Otula in Karachuonyo, Homa Bay County on Friday. PHOTO/ ELIUD OWALO}

Their communication remained regular until Otula’s sudden death.

“He used to send me weekend basketball fixtures every Friday without fail. But on that Friday, there was no message. I did not know something was wrong until I saw a post on social media that he was no more. It was heartbreaking,” Mr. Owalo recounted.

The late Otula’s legacy stretches beyond sport. As a long-serving educationist, he influenced thousands of students at Maseno School and Mang’u High School, many of whom credit him with shaping their lives.

He is credited with mentoring countless players, administrators, and coaches, and leaves behind a lasting imprint on Kenyan basketball.