Veteran columnist Philip Ochieng burial set for May 14
Veteran editor and long-serving Nation columnist Philip Ochieng will be laid to rest on May 14 at his home in Manyatta village, Awendo Constituency in Migori county.
The family confirmed that the veteran journalist had succumbed to pneumonia on April 27 after being rushed to hospital at the age of 83.
In a bid to give Ochieng a befitting sendoff, the celebrated journalist’s family and friends have launched a paybill as they seek to raise funds.
“Following the passing away of veteran journalist Philip Ochieng, family and friends request your contributions in order to accord him the befitting send off,” read a message from the family.
Those in a position to help can send in their contributions to PayBill number 8040695 with the account name being Philip.
Ochieng’s story is told in The 5th Columnist, a legendary journalist, one of the few books written about the media professional in Kenya.
“To many, Philip Ochieng is that proud atheist and relentless social critic with an unmatched grasp of the English language in the region. To others, though, he is undoubtedly a media giant and a journalist of great repute. Having served in various capacities in the media industry, Ochieng has earned both praise and condemnation from not just his readers but also his employers, colleagues and the powers that be,” Liz Gitonga-Wanjohi wrote of the legendary journalist in his biography – The 5th Columnist.
He previously served as an editor for Nation Media Group and was once a columnist for The Standard.
Ochieng was also an established author, who published several books, including I Accuse The Press: An Insider’s View of the Media and Politics in Africa, in 1992 and The Kenyatta Succession, which he co-wrote with Joseph Karimi.