This archive report was first published on 10 August 2019.
On August 3, 2019, Prof Bethwell Allan Ogot marked his 90th birthday at his residence in Yala, Gem Location, Siaya County. The celebrations were a testament to his enduring legacy as a historian and academic.
Prof Ogot's life's work is a testament to the power of history to shape our understanding of the present and inform our decisions about the future. As he noted in a recent aphorism, 'Those who know not whence they come know not whither they go.' This phrase, which he adapted from a traditional proverb, highlights the importance of understanding our past in order to navigate the complexities of the present.
Throughout his career, Prof Ogot has been a leading voice in the field of African history. His work has focused on the importance of decolonizing the mind and liberating our thought and behavior patterns from external impositions. This is a theme that is echoed in his own 'deshenzinisation' hypothesis, which seeks to combat the inferiority complex imposed on Africans by those who brainwashed them into thinking that they were inherently 'shenzi'.
Prof Ogot's commitment to his discipline is unwavering, and he continues to write and publish books at the age of 90. His latest work, 'Kisumu 1901-2001: From an Inland Port to First Millennium City,' was launched at his birthday celebrations, and he has announced plans to write a history of Nairobi City and the University of Nairobi.
As we reflect on Prof Ogot's life and legacy, we are reminded of the importance of preserving our history and passing it on to future generations. His work serves as a powerful reminder of the need to understand our past in order to build a better future.
