On April 17th, a somber shadow fell over Africa’s science journalism community with the sudden and tragic passing of Ochieng Ogodo, a Kenya-born science journalist renowned for his brilliance and dedication.
Prior to the day, Ogodo, an ardent Arsenal FC fan relished the club’s European Champions League win over traditional winners of the title, Real Madrid with serial posts on his social media pages. What was supposed to be a good night’s rest, however, turned tragic in the early hours of the next day as his family revealed that he experienced a sudden and severe chest pain around 2:00 a.m. Nairobi time and was rushed to Mama Lucy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Ogodo’s untimely passing has, no doubt, left a profound void in the science journalism community, which he served with doubtless passion and commitment. This is evident in the emotional tributes that have continued to pour from every part of the world.
On Friday, friends, family, and colleagues had one more chance to bid him farewell as his remains were being committed to mother earth. Behind the tears, many who knew Ogodo queued to pen down memorial tributes to him. They say he could be remembered for his kindness, intelligence, and passion for science journalism, adding this legacies will continue to shine through the countless stories he shaped, the journalists he mentored, and the impact he made on the continent.
Although the void left by Ogodo’s departure would remain palpable, many have said his spirit will live on through the work of those he inspired. While he was alive, his passion for science communication and his commitment to promoting accurate and balanced reporting on complex scientific issues inspired different generations of journalists and communicators across Africa and other climes.
Esther Nakkazi, a Ugandan science journalist and friend to late Ogodo said she would remember him as a “brilliant editor, mentor, and good friend” who “shaped countless stories with clarity and precision.”
“Ochieng was a brilliant editor, mentor, and a good friend of mine. I had the privilege of working with him at SciDev.net, where he shaped countless stories with clarity and precision. Ochieng was soft-spoken yet powerful in his presence. He knew his craft deeply. He gave space for voices to be heard, particularly from African journalists, and believed in the power of science communication to transform lives and communities,” Nakkazi said in a tribute to Ogodo that she shared with AfricaSTI.net.
She said, as a colleague, Ogodo was kind and as a friend, he was warm and thoughtful, with a calm demeanor.
“Ogodo will be profoundly missed in the science journalism community. His legacy lives on in the stories he edited, the journalists he mentored, and the example he set for all of us—of professionalism.
“May his soul rest in peace, and may his legacy continue to inspire generations of storytellers across the continent and beyond,” Nakkazi said.
Otula Owuor, a veteran Kenyan science journalist, described Ogodo as “one of the most brilliant science journalists in our African continent and beyond.”
He said, “Ochieng Ogodo was definitely among the most brilliant science journalists in the African continent and beyond . He was always ready to share his knowledge and skills.”
Akin Jimoh, Chief Editor of Nature Africa, praised Ogodo’s contributions to science journalism, saying he placed many African science journalists on the global pedestal.
“Ochieng did a lot for science journalism beyond Africa. He placed all of us on the global pedestal. But his own time came to answer the call to glory. A brother, a trail blazer is gone yet his legacy lives on in all of us,” Jimoh stated.
Nadia El-Awady, an Egyptian science journalist, fondly recalled Ogodo’s kindness, intelligence, and warmth, saying, “He was a wonderful, intelligent, and kind man.”
In a tribute she wrote on Ogodo on her faebook page, El-Awady, stated: “This is horribly sad news for the science journalism community. I couldn’t even tell you how many years it’s been since I’ve known Ochieng’. He was a wonderful, intelligent, and kind man. He will be sorely missed.
You will be sorely missed, Ochieng’. Sorely sorely missed. My sincerest condolences to all the family. What an amazing man he was.”
Dr. Rose Gidado, co-ordinator of the Nigerian Chapter of Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology (OFAB Nigeria), paid an emotional tribute to Ogodo, highlighting his dedication to reporting on agricultural biotechnology in Africa.
She said, “We are deeply saddened by the loss of Mr. Ochieng Ogodo, a renowned journalist and science reporter who dedicated his career to reporting on agricultural biotechnology in Africa. His passion for science journalism and commitment to promoting accurate and balanced reporting on biotechnology issues have left an indelible mark on the continent.”
According to Dr. Gidado, Ogodo, through his work, inspired a new generation of science journalists and communicators, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to effectively report on complex scientific issues.
“Ogodo’s reporting on agricultural biotechnology helped to raise awareness and understanding of the technology’s potential benefits and risks. His work contributed to a more informed public discourse on biotechnology, and his dedication to accuracy and fairness earned him the respect of his peers and the scientific community,” she further stated in the tribute shared with AfricaSTI.net
She said Ogodo will be remembered as a talented journalist, a passionate advocate for science communication, and a kind soul who touched the lives of many, adding that his energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to his work will be deeply missed.
At the time he passed, Ogodo was Mongabay’s East Africa editor.
A pioneer in African science and environmental journalism, Ogodo started another fresh leg of an illustrious science journalism career at Mongabay, where he swiftly built a strong editorial team, ready to give extensive coverage of critical issues. This was after spending about a decade as Sub-Sahara Editor at SciDev.Net, The Standard in Kenya and other international media organisations.
A tribute to late Kenyan Science Journalist, Ochieng Ogodo by AfricaSTI
