Celebrated science journalist Ochieng' Ogodo dies
His commitment to advancing science journalism earned him admiration from peers around the world.
The journalism community in Kenya is mourning the sudden death of respected science journalist Ochieng' Ogodo, who passed away early Thursday morning after experiencing severe chest pains.
His unexpected death has left colleagues and loved ones reeling, as just hours earlier, he was active and appeared to be in good health.
According to family sources, Ogodo had been in high spirits on Wednesday evening.
He followed the Arsenal versus Real Madrid football match and actively shared his thoughts on Facebook.
But the night took a tragic turn when he began feeling intense chest pain around 2 am while resting at home.
Realising the seriousness of his condition, Ogodo quickly alerted his children.
They immediately called a taxi and rushed him to Mama Lucy Hospital. During the emergency, they also contacted their uncle, Dan Ogodo, who joined them at the hospital.
"Sadly, despite the prompt efforts, Ochieng was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital’s emergency section," said Kenya Editors Guild CEO Rosalia Omungo.
She described the loss as heartbreaking and called for support for the grieving family.
"We are still coming to terms with this loss and ask for your prayers and support for the family during this difficult time," she said.
"May his soul rest in eternal peace."
Ogodo had a long and impactful career in science journalism, earning recognition both locally and internationally.
He worked at the Standard Media Group for several years before joining China Global Television Network (CGTN).
He also held a prominent role as the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Coordinator and Editor for the UK-based Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net), a position he held for 12 and a half years.
His dedication to reporting on science and development helped shape how such issues were covered in the region.
Ogodo served on the Executive Board of the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) for 15 years, from 2008 to 2023.
His commitment to advancing science journalism earned him admiration from peers around the world.
Throughout his career, Ogodo contributed to several renowned publications, including National Geographic, Nature Medicine, The Guardian (UK), British Medical Journal, and The Standard in Kenya.
His work reached wide audiences and played a key role in promoting science-based reporting.
His efforts were recognised in 2008 when he won the Reuters-IUCN Media Award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting.
The award honoured his reporting in the English-speaking regions of Africa and the Middle East.
Ogodo was also highly educated. He held a Master of Arts degree in Communication and Media Studies, with a focus on Development Communication, from the University of Nairobi.
As friends, family, and fellow journalists come to terms with his passing, tributes continue to pour in for a man who dedicated his life to accurate and impactful storytelling.
