Ochieng’ Ogodo, a leading voice in African science journalism and longtime regional editor for SciDev.Net, died early Thursday morning in Nairobi. He was 52.
His family confirmed the cause of death as a suspected heart attack. Mr Ogodo had been experiencing mild flu symptoms in recent days, but according to relatives, he remained upbeat and active until the final hours of his life.
“He was in high spirits on Wednesday evening,” the family said in a statement. “He even followed the Arsenal vs Real Madrid match and shared his thoughts actively on Facebook.”
Around 2 a.m. on Thursday, while resting at home, he complained of sudden chest pain. His children rushed him to Mama Lucy Hospital in a cab. Their uncle, Dan Ogodo, met them at the emergency unit, but Mr Ogodo was pronounced dead on arrival. He had no opportunity to speak before his passing.
His death has sent ripples across the journalism and science communities in Kenya and beyond.
A Pillar in African Science Media
For over a decade, Mr Ogodo served as the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Coordinator and Editor for SciDev.Net, a UK-based outlet focused on science and development. In this role, he worked with journalists across the continent to improve science reporting and connect scientific research to everyday life.
He was also a respected contributor to global outlets including National Geographic, The Guardian (UK), Nature Medicine, the British Medical Journal, and Kenya’s Standard Media Group. His work focused on environment, health, and development issues, told through a distinctly African lens.
In 2008, he was awarded the Reuters–IUCN Media Award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting for Africa and the Middle East — a major recognition in a field where African journalists have long struggled for global visibility.
“Benny was a mentor and a friend,” said Andrew Kipkemboi, a fellow editor and long-time colleague. “He pushed for accuracy, context, and compassion in storytelling. He believed that science journalism could and should change lives.”
A Leader and Mentor
Mr Ogodo’s impact extended well beyond the newsroom. He was the founding chairperson of the Kenya Environment and Science Journalists Association (KENSJA) and served on the Executive Board of the World Federation of Science Journalists (WFSJ) from 2008 until 2023 — a rare achievement for a journalist from the Global South.
“His contribution to science journalism in Africa was immense,” said Rosalia Omungo, CEO of the Media Council of Kenya. “He championed stories that mattered, mentored young writers, and fought for better reporting on climate change, health, and innovation.”
Friends and colleagues described him as soft-spoken but firm, passionate but grounded. He was known for quietly building networks, training early-career journalists, and pushing for media coverage that explained, rather than mystified, science.
A Life Dedicated to Communication
Mr Ogodo held a Master of Arts degree in Communication and Media Studies, specialising in Development Communication, from the University of Nairobi. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Communication and Journalism from Moi University.
Though he travelled widely and worked on international assignments, he remained deeply rooted in Nairobi, where he lived and raised his family.
In the days before his death, he had been working on several freelance assignments and mentoring junior journalists through virtual sessions. “He was always thinking of the next generation,” said one mentee. “He didn’t just teach science journalism — he lived it.”
Family and Tributes
He is survived by his children and extended family, who are now preparing for his burial. Details of the arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
The Kenya Editors Guild expressed its condolences in a statement on Thursday, calling him “a generous mentor, a thoughtful communicator, and a respected voice in our media community.”
“He will be remembered not only for his professional achievements but for his kindness, humility, and strong belief in journalism as a public good,” said Zubiedah Kananu, President of the Guild.
As messages of tribute continue to pour in from across the globe, one thing is clear: Ochieng’ Ogodo’s voice may be gone, but his work will continue to echo in the pages and people he touched.
