MMUST Lecturer Dr. Jairus Omuteche Found Dead. The academic community is mourning the loss of Dr. Jairus Mwenje Omuteche, a Senior Lecturer and Chairman of the Department of Languages and Literature Education at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). Dr. Omuteche was reported missing on November 23, 2024, after visiting his farm in Ebukhubi sub-location to gather materials for repairing a cowshed. Tragically, his lifeless body was discovered on November 24, 2024, near River Jordan in Vihiga County.Â
The literary community and academia in Kenya have been plunged into mourning following the untimely death of Dr. Jairus Omuteche, a senior lecturer at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). His lifeless body was discovered near River Jordan in Vihiga County on November 24, 2024, a day after he was reported missing according to social media reports. Dr. Omuteche, a celebrated figure in literary circles, met his demise under circumstances that remain shrouded in mystery.
Dr. Omuteche was a distinguished scholar with a profound impact on literature and education in Kenya. He held a Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Sunderland, an MA, and a B.Ed. (Arts) from the University of Nairobi. His research interests included Postcolonial Theory and Literatures, Literature of the Black Diaspora, Migration and Globalization, and African Oral Literature.
Throughout his career, Dr. Omuteche authored several notable works, including “The High Flier and Other Stories” and “Notes on Velma Pollard’s Home Stretch.” He also contributed to scholarly discussions on identity, globalization, and African literature through various conference presentations and journal articles.
His untimely death is a significant loss to the academic and literary communities. Colleagues and students remember him as a mentor and a beacon of literary excellence. Investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death are ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out foul play.
Dr. Omuteche’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of scholars and students. May his soul rest in eternal peace.
