Marsabit County is mourning the sudden death of respected educator and former Marsabit Boys Secondary School principal Paul Samson Goto Gene.
The family confirmed that Goto passed away on March 1, 2026, leaving behind a legacy in education, public service, and the corporate sector.
In an obituary shared by the family, Goto was remembered as a historian, teacher, administrator, and banker who dedicated his life to serving both his community and the country.
His life will be celebrated during a service at St. Paul’s ACK Church in Marsabit on Saturday, March 7, before he is laid to rest at his home in Saku, Marsabit.
Tributes have begun to pour in from leaders and members of the public who knew him during his years of service. Former Kenya Tourism Board chairperson Mohamed Hersi described Goto as an influential educationist who left a lasting mark on Marsabit.
Hersi recalled that although he did not attend Marsabit Boys Secondary School, he grew up next to the institution while studying at Marsabit Primary School.
From a young age, he admired the secondary school students and often noticed Goto walking through the school compound.
“Our home was next to the school and once in a while I would see him walking majestically, always sharply dressed in a shirt and tie. He was ahead of his time,” Hersi said in a message shared on social media.
Goto later left the teaching profession and joined the banking sector, where he worked with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), expanding his influence beyond education into the corporate world.
Family members described him as a respected pillar within the Burji community and a mentor who guided many people throughout his life.
They said he cared deeply for his family members living in different parts of the world, including Marsabit, Nairobi, Nyeri, and Kilicho in Ethiopia.
The family added that Goto was a father figure to many, noting that numerous stories would continue to be told about his leadership, mentorship, and compassion.