In the heart of Kenya, beneath the ever-shifting skies of Kisumu City, the journalistic fraternity and the nation at large mourn the loss of a beacon of truth and integrity, Dickens Wasonga. His tragic departure in a road accident on the bustling Kisumu-Kakamega road near the Mamboleo flyover on January 26th has left a void in the hearts of many, a testament to the fragility of life and the relentless peril of our roads.
Dickens Wasonga was not just a journalist; he was a visionary, a steadfast guardian of truth whose work touched and transformed lives. Known for his loving, truthful, and bold spirit, Dickens was a protector of his family, friends, and colleagues. His dedication to journalism was unparalleled, earning him the chairmanship of the Kisumu Journalists Network (KJN) in November 2023, a role he embraced with zeal, commitment, and passion.
At his requiem mass at St Stephen’s Cathedral ACK in Milimani, the air was heavy with grief and admiration. Nyakach MP Aduma, reflecting on their time together, praised Dickens as a dedicated and talented journalist, whose early years in Bondo, Siaya County, were marked by promise and dedication. This promise was cut tragically short, leaving behind his wife, Florence Koki, and two children, Kate Mumbe Ochieng and Victor Ochieng. His final resting place was Olago Kamkwaya in Bondo, Siaya County, where he was laid to rest, leaving behind a legacy that will forever illuminate the path for those who walk the journey of journalism after him.
Dicken’s Loss a Big Blow to Journalism in Kisumu and Kenya as a Whole
Florence Koki, amidst tears and tender memories, spoke of Dickens not just as her husband but as her best friend and rock. “When I got upset, he always stayed calm. When I was worried, he comforted me, reassuring that it would be okay. He was the solution to every problem we faced,” she reminisced. Their love was a beacon for their two amazing children, a testament to their shared life of love, challenges, and magical resolutions.
The journalistic community and city officials alike shared in this mourning. Kisumu City Manager Abala Wanga and Nation Media’s senior political reporter Justus Ochieng recounted Dickens’s professional valor, his commitment to integrity, and his undying spirit to mentor and uplift young journalists.
The demise of Dickens Wasonga has been felt deeply, not just as a loss to journalism but to the very fabric of society that he sought to protect and uplift through his work. John Oluga and Enock Shikundi, in their grief, highlighted the tragedy of his loss to journalism and the irreplaceable void left in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
This tragic event serves as a solemn reminder of the perilous state of our roads and the precious lives claimed by accidents in Kenya. It underscores the urgent need for enhanced road safety measures and collective responsibility among all road users to prevent such needless loss of life.
As we remember Dickens Wasonga, let us not only mourn but also celebrate the indomitable spirit, the unwavering dedication, and the lasting impact he made on journalism and society. His legacy will live on, inspiring future generations to pursue truth with courage, integrity, and love.
In the shadow of your absence, we find the light of your legacy, illuminating the path for those who follow. Rest in peace, Dickens Wasonga. Your story will be told, your impact felt, and your memory forever etched in the annals of journalism and the hearts of all who knew you.
Kisumu City News
