Award Winning Kenyan Journalist Dies
Ogodo passed away in the early hours of Thursday, April 17, following a brief illness.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Ben Ochieng’ Ogodo, a celebrated journalist known for his contributions to the field of science journalism, is dead.
Ogodo passed away in the early hours of Thursday, April 17, following a brief illness. The news of his death was first shared by Amos Aketch, who, in a statement mourning the unexpected loss, mentioned that although Ogodo had recently fallen ill, he was still in good spirits as of Wednesday. Aketch reported that the journalist began experiencing intense chest pain around 2:00 a.m. on Thursday while resting at home. He managed to alert his children, who quickly called a cab and rushed him to Mama Lucy Hospital, where he was sadly declared dead on arrival.
The Kenya Editors Guild (KEG) expressed its deep sadness at Ogodo's passing, hailing him as a long-standing member of our community and one of Kenya's most accomplished science journalists and editors.
The late Journalist Ben Ochieng Ogodo. /KENYA EDITORS GUILD
"Ochieng' dedicated his life to telling stories that mattered, especially those that helped the public understand science, the environment, and development in ways that were both accessible and impactful. As the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Coordinator and Editor for SciDev.Net for over 12 years, he played a key role in shaping science journalism across the continent," the statement read in part.
Ogodo's voice resonated globally through contributions to respected outlets including National Geographic, Nature Medicine, The Guardian (UK), British Medical Journal, and locally through The Standard Group Limited.
Furthermore, he was a founding chairperson of the Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (KENSJA) and served on the Executive Board of the World Federation of Science Journalists from 2008 to 2023, an extraordinary testament to his leadership and vision.
In 2008, he was recognised with the Reuters-IUCN Media Award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting, something the KEG hailed as "a well-deserved honour for his commitment to environmental issues."
"Ochieng' was not just known for his sharp editorial eye and storytelling skill, but also for his generosity with time and knowledge. He mentored many young journalists and was always ready to support colleagues, quietly yet consistently," added the statement.
The late Ogodo had a Master's degree in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Nairobi. With it, he combined academic rigour with journalistic instinct in ways that elevated the profession.
KEG stated that he will be remembered not only for his achievements but for his kindness, humility, and unwavering belief in the power of journalism to inform and improve lives.
"Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and the entire media fraternity. Rest in peace, Ochieng'. Your work lives on in the stories you told and the lives you touched," the statement concluded.
