Members of the National Assembly have paid tribute to former Alego Usoga MP, Hon. Peter Oloo Aringo who passed away on Friday the 1st of November, 2024 while undergoing treatment at a Hospital in Nairobi. 

This follows a general statement made by the current Alego Usoga MP, Hon. Samuel Atandi commemorating the achievements of the late legislator who served for 25 years as a Member of Parliament for two stints between 1974–1988 and 1997–2002.  

While addressing the House, Hon Atandi stated, “I rise with a heavy heart to pay a glowing tribute to the late Honourable Peter Oloo-Aringo EGH, former Member of Parliament for Alego Usonga Constituency, former Cabinet Minister, a distinguished statesman, patriot, legendary parliamentarian and father of the Parliamentary Service Commission."  

Hon Atandi noted that during his distinguished career, Hon. Oloo-Aringo served as Assistant Minister and later Cabinet Minister in various portfolios under Presidents Jomo Kenyatta and Daniel Toroitich Arap Moi overseeing the Ministries of Information and Broadcasting, Education, Environment, and Employment. 

Hon. Oloo-Aringo's most notable achievement as Education Minister was successfully transitioning Kenya's education system from the 7-4-2-3 to the 8-4-4 system. He also played a crucial role in expanding technical and higher education by establishing institutions such as Kenya Technical Trainers’ and Kenya Science Teachers’ Colleges to meet the growing demands of learners. 

In eulogizing the Late Minister, Rarieda MP, Hon. Otiende Amolo paid homage to Hon. Oloo-Aringo’s other notable achievements such as the championing for the Constituency Development Fund, agitating for the independence of Parliament through establishing the Parliamentary Service Commission and for being among the visionaries who have shaped the country’s education system. 

Funyula MP, Hon. Wilberforce Oundo also noted, “Those of us who are among the pioneering class of the 8-4-4 primary school exams can attest to the impact that the system has had in shaping many brilliant minds that we have in this Country today.” 

Suba North MP, Hon. Millie Odhiambo on her part called on Parliament to develop mechanisms of acknowledging past members of parliament who have notable achievements for Kenya before their demise. 

 "As Members of this Prestigious House, we need to initiate a roll of honour, to acknowledge and appreciate former Members of Parliament for their achievements while they’re still alive,” noted Hon. Millie Odhiambo. “If only Hon. Oloo-Aringo were here to listen to the beautiful praises and tributes that we are paying to him,” she added. 

Kilifi North MP, Hon Owen Baya went on to laud Hon. Aringo for bringing the institution of Government to the grass roots through many notable education policies. “Hon. Aringo exhibited what governments should be to the people by introducing policies in the education sector that are directly felt at the lowest level till today. As the Minister of education then, He introduced excellence in learning impacting even those who are in far flung corners of the Country,” said Hon. Baya. 

Githunguri MP, Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba in echoing Hon Baya’s sentiments added, “Under Hon. Aringo’s leadership as Minister, we benefited from programmes such as the ‘Maziwa ya Nyayo’ programme where all public primary schools' pupils were fed milk, not only contributing to good health, but also for bridging the economic gaps of children from different backgrounds in schools. Today our school feeding programmes can only wish to emulate what the Maziwa Ya Nyayo programme did.”