Global Award-Winning Journalist Dies Shortly After Watching Arsenal vs Real Madrid Match
Renowned journalist Ochieng’ Ogodo has passed away in the early hours of Thursday, April 17, following a brief illness.
The sad news of his sudden death was shared by his colleague Amos Aketch, who expressed deep sorrow over the unexpected loss.
According to Aketch, Ogodo had recently fallen ill, but he was still in good spirits on Wednesday, even watching the Arsenal vs Real Madrid football match.
However, at around 2:00am on Thursday morning, while resting at his home, he experienced a sharp and intense chest pain.
He quickly called out to his children, who acted fast by getting a cab and rushing him to Mama Lucy Hospital. Unfortunately, he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
His sudden death has shocked the media community, as many remember him not only for his talent but also for his passion and mentorship.
Ochieng’ Ogodo was not just any journalist—he was an outstanding professional who made a lasting impact, especially in science and environmental reporting.
In recognition of his excellence, he received the prestigious Reuters-IUCN Media Award in 2008 for his exceptional work in environmental journalism.
This award reflected his deep commitment to covering environmental issues that affect both local and global communities.
He also worked as the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Coordinator and News Editor for the UK-based Science and Development Network (SciDev.Net), a platform focused on science, technology, and development stories in the Global South.
During his 12-year tenure from 2010 to 2022, Ogodo became a strong voice in science journalism across Africa, helping shape the way science-related topics were communicated to the public.
In addition to his editorial work, he served on the Executive Board of the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) from 2017 to 2023.
In this role, he played a major part in shaping global conversations around science journalism and building stronger networks among journalists worldwide.
The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) also expressed their sorrow and respect following his death. In a heartfelt statement, they mourned Ogodo as one of Kenya’s most dedicated and skilled science journalists and editors.
“We at the Kenya Editors Guild are deeply saddened by the passing of Ochieng’ Ogodo, a long-standing member of our community and one of Kenya’s most accomplished science journalists and editors,” read the KEG message.
“Ochieng’ devoted his life to telling meaningful stories—especially those that helped the public understand science, the environment, and development in simple yet powerful ways.”
His work has been featured and acknowledged by top international publications such as National Geographic, Nature Medicine, The Guardian (UK), British Medical Journal, and by local media like The Standard Media Group.
Moreover, Ogodo was the founding chairperson of the Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (KENSJA), helping to create a solid platform for journalists reporting on environmental matters in Kenya.
Through KENSJA, he pushed for stronger representation and support for journalists covering crucial issues like climate change, conservation, and public health.
Beyond his professional achievements, Ogodo was a mentor to many young journalists. Over his nearly 30-year career, he trained and guided upcoming writers, generously sharing his knowledge and experience.
His legacy lives on not just through his published work, but also through the many journalists he inspired and nurtured.
The passing of Ochieng’ Ogodo is a huge loss to Kenya and the global journalism community. He will be remembered for his passion, dedication, and the incredible mark he left in science and environmental reporting.
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