Veteran editor and former Sunday Nation columnist Philip Ochieng’ has passed on.
Mr Ochieng’ 82, succumbed to pneumonia at Ombo Mission Hospital in Migori on Tuesday evening.
Ochieng’ was famous for his The Fifth Columnist and Language Clinic columns on Sunday and Sunday Nation editions.
He formerly served as an editor for Nation Media Group.
He was also a columnist for The Standard.
Ochieng’ was a reputable author. He published numerous books including I Accuse the Press and the Kenyatta Succession which he co-authored with Joseph Karimi.
He was a perfectionist for grammar and intellectual rigour in journalism.
ODM party leader Raila Odinga has grieved the departed stating that Kenya has lost a renowned columnist with an incomparable competence of the English language.
“Kenya has lost in the passing of Philip Ochieng’, a veteran journalist and legendary columnist with an unmatched prowess of the English language. Through the power of the pen, Philip spoke to the most powerful and moved the society into action,” he wrote.
“Philip penned his thoughts and gave a voice to the voiceless. My heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, the Nation Media Group and the media fraternity.”
Deputy President William Ruto passed his condolences by acknowledging Mr Ochieng’ as a consummate, no-nonsense and committed journalist who had a deep understanding of issues.
“He was a stickler for grammatical accuracy and used his platforms to break down the English language and teach us new things-even those who figured we knew. Ochieng’, widely read hero, was simply his class; a man of varied intellectual pursuits.”
Kenyans have also taken to Twitter to pass their condolences.
By Everlyne Bosibori
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