This archive report was first published on 11 May 2021.
Kenya Editors' Guild Honors Philip Ochieng with Annual Journalism Lecture ¶
Philip Ochieng, a renowned Kenyan journalist, was celebrated by the Kenya Editors' Guild with the launch of the Philip Ochieng Annual Lecture on Journalism on May 14, 2022.
The inaugural lecture was held to honor Ochieng's life and contributions to the media industry, which spanned over five decades. Ochieng, who passed away on April 27, 2021, at the age of 83, was remembered for his courage, knowledge, and commitment to journalism.
KEG President Churchill Otieno said that the day will be marked every second Friday of May from 2022, and that the guild will use this platform to promote excellence in media and journalism that Philip Ochieng stood for.
"Kenya Editors Guild will use this platform to promote excellence in media and journalism that Philip Ochieng stood for. I celebrate him for having the courage to be different because in the current world, that is what most people are afraid of. We should all celebrate Philip's knowledge, service and commitment to journalism," said Mr Otieno.
Other speakers, including Joseph Odindo, Eric Oduor, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, Naim Bilal, Joe Ageyo, and Ochieng Rapuro, highlighted Ochieng's contributions to the media industry and his influence on journalism and politics.
"He and I were classmates at the Alliance High School 1955-1958," said Ngugi wa Thiong'o, who was shocked and sad to hear of Ochieng's passing.
"Philip was an enigmatic and mystical figure that most of us heard of when we came to newsrooms. Philip was many things, he was intellectual and journalistic," said Joe Ageyo, Editorial Director at Royal Media Services.
"If Kenya had its version of Pulitzer Awards, Ochieng would have bagged many - for his incisiveness, sheer bravery, high-mindedness, mastery of the English language and fidelity to all things journalism," said Ochieng Rapuro, Editor in Chief at the Standard Media Group.
The family of Philip Ochieng has launched a paybill to raise funds for a befitting sendoff, and those in a position to help can send in their contributions to PayBill number 8040695 with the account name being Philip.
