Today, I flourish in happiness and radiate positive vibes.
At long last we are picking up momentum to ensure that the legacy of our late mentor and friend Prof. Thomas. R. Odhiambo is preserved for the coming generations and posterity.The year 2024 has been remarkably fruitful towards realizing that goal.
It is Charles Omondi Ochola, the VC of Tom Mboya University, who during a visit to the ICIPE Thomas Odhiambo Campus in Mbita this past month of June, coined the phrase: “Thomas R. Odhiambo-The man we wanted to forget…”
I salute my friends that have kept the memory alive. Starting with our patron Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o, Mohammed Hassan, Nguya Maniania, late Annalee Mengech, Getachew Tikubet, Wellington Otieno, Alex Tindimubona, late Iba Kone, Ellie Osir, Zeyaur R. Khan, late Henry Chakava, late Shem Olende, GBA Okelo, Ratemo Michieka, Liz Ngang’a and many many others who have kept the vigil with me since June 2003. More recently, Rev. Charles Oloo, Isaiah Ndiege, Helen Masibo and others of the ICIPE staff Alumni have joined us to ensure we never forget.
In 2016, feeling very frustrated and seemingly getting nowhere, I started a blog site which many of you may have visited. “Yor Oguyo” resident at: http://yoroguyo.co.ke/and said the following:
“September 29th, 2016 will be recorded as the day of accomplishment of major milestones in my life. It is almost as if I have been reborn.
For today I launch a new channel of communication with my fellow inhabitants of this planet. I launch my blog www.yoroguyo.co.ke.
With that singular event, I immortalize Africa’s foremost man of science. My teacher, mentor and friend, the late Professor Thomas Risley Odhiambo, founding Director of the International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), founding President of the African Academy of Sciences (AAS) and Third Word Academy of Sciences (TWAS) among many others.”
Subsequently, I lobbied with AAS and ICIPE and consulted with Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o of Kisumu. Tom Kariuki (then at AAS) was very encouraging and so was former JKUAT VC Ratemo Michieka, chest specialist Joseph Aluoch, Architect Kigara Kamweru, and late John Kokwaro. TRO’s family has also been very supportive: Mary Bugembe-Odhiambo, Owen Nandy and my former ICIPE colleague Winnie Oyuko.
I also fondly remember the late Samson Kwaje, formerly of AAS who as a confidant of late President Garang’ and a minister in his SPLM government. Every time I met Kwaje he would urge me to soldier on with the legacy project. So did John Odhiambo, former VC of Strathmore University and cardiologist Peter Odhiambo. Late David Wasao, founder of Weekly Review late Hillary Ngweno, historian Bethuel Ogot, late PS Bethuel Abdu Kiplagat, former cabinet minister Omolo Okero, late journalist Philip Ochieng are among the many who have walked with me thus far.
Borrowing words of the title of a book by my other mentor, the celebrated Nobel laureate playwright, Wole Soyinka “You Must Set Forth at Dawn”; (https://xokigbo.com/2012/08/01/wole-soyinka-you-must-set-forth-at-dawn/), some time soon, Nyasaye Nyakalaga willing, I will set forth at dawn to pay a courtesy call on the governor and sup of his wisdom and guidance. It was Odhiambo’s style now firmly ingrained in me. Early in the year I would accompany him to Butiama in Tanzania to seek blessings from a legendary leader and freedom fighter, the late Mwalimu Julius Kambarage Nyerere.
Do wish me well.
The long walk has just began… Let us roll our sleeves for the task ahead.
Aluta Continua!
JPR Ochieng’-Odero is a scientist, author, playwright, blogger, and
beekeeper, all rolled into one!