Celebrated Kenyan journalist Ben Ochieng Ogodo is dead. His death was confirmed by Amos Aketch, who announced that the journalist died early Thursday morning, April 16, following a short illness.
In a statement mourning Ogodo’s sudden passing, Aketch noted that the journalist had fallen ill recently but remained in high spirits on Wednesday.
He added that Ogodo had even followed the UEFA Champions League semi-final match between Arsenal and Real Madrid, actively sharing his thoughts on Facebook.
“We are deeply saddened to inform friends and family of the sudden passing of our beloved brother, cousin, and friend, Ben Ochieng Ogodo, in the early hours of Thursday, 17th April 2025,” read part of the statement.
“Ochieng had been feeling slightly unwell in recent days, attributing it to a mild flu.”
Demise of Ochieng Ogodo announced
According to Aketch, the journalist experienced sudden and severe chest pain around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday while resting at home.
He alerted his children, who responded swiftly by calling a cab and rushing him to Mama Lucy Hospital.
“On the way, they also reached out to their uncle, Dan Ogodo, who met them at the hospital. Sadly, despite the prompt efforts, Ochieng was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital’s emergency section. Uncle Dan was not able to speak with him before his passing,” added Aketch.
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Aketch said Ochieng Ogodo’s family is still coming to terms with his loss, further appealing for prayers and support for the family during the difficult time.
He added that further details regarding the burial arrangements would be shared in due course.
Ochieng Ogodo’s career
The late Ben Ochieng Ogodo was a renowned media and communications consultant with an illustrious career in science journalism.
He previously served as the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Coordinator and News Editor for the UK-based Science and Development Network, an online media house focused on science, technology, and development in the Global South.
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Ogodo was also a former member of the Executive Board of the World Federation of Science Journalists and won the 2008 Reuters/IUCN Media Award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting in the English-speaking Africa and Middle East region.
Throughout his career, he consulted for several international organizations, including the Wageningen Centre for Development Innovation, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) of Canada, the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the Netherlands-based publisher Elsevier.
He contributed to numerous publications and participated in global forums, workshops, and conferences related to science and development communication.
Ogodo held a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Journalism and a Diploma in Communication and Public Relations from Moi University.
He also earned a Diploma in Climate Change Reporting from the Danida Fellowship Centre in Denmark.
The journalist recently pursued a Master of Arts in Communication Studies at the University of Nairobi (UoN).
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