Ochieng almost unveiled in new book

Liz Gitonga-Wanjohi is to be commended for her courage as well as her journalist skills in writing a biography of one of, if not the most, enigmatic and complex journalists in Kenya today.

The 5th Columnist: A Legendary Journalist is about the life of Philip Ochieng, who has not only worked all over East Africa but also has had top journalistic jobs wherever he’s been.

Liz traces all of these stints in regional print media and shows herself to be a laudable researcher and investigative journalist who has unearthed countless details about Ochieng’s life and career, including his self identification with Obama Senior.

Both studied in the US, were brilliant men, married American women while in school and both walked out on wives who were carrying their soon-to-be-born children.

As Ford Foundation’s Rosemary Orlale remarked at the launch, the book should be essential reading to all who want to know more about the history of East African journalism, especially about its pioneers.

I read the book in a single sitting as I found it a page-turner from start to end. That was largely due to Ochieng’s compelling story, but also Liz’s writing flows easily from one topic to the next.

Nonetheless, there are still many things about the man that remain as enigmatic as before. What was his life like in East Germany?
Why did he go there in the first place? Why did he return? And what about “The Nation of Sheep” editorial that he wrote for NCCK’s Target weekly: How could one editorial lead to his swift departure from the country aided by the Catholic Church?

Why didn’t his Kenyatta Succession book elicit a similar response? And what about his work at Weekly Review?

Perhaps the biggest thing I felt was missing in the book was the soul and mind of Ochieng himself. Liz managed to interview a number of people with whom he had worked. Many of them were not close to him. For instance, why didn’t she get a comment from Ngugi wa Thiong’o rather than his son Tee?

Liz’s account of the man seems to reinforce the view that he was and possibly is still an arrogant and proud guy. But then many of his peers had a difficult time adjusting to life back home after studying and working abroad.

The few exceptions may be the late Wangari Maathai and Stellascope’s Hilary Ng’weno. Many more fell into Obama Senior’s situation, being frustrated, unfulfilled and having few associates who had similar academic or global experience.

While Liz obviously conducted extensive research into Ochieng’s life both by reading his extensive writings and interviewing lots of people, one misses the voice and personality of the 5th columnist himself. For instance, the book doesn’t reveal the charming side of Ochieng, leave alone the editor who could be compassionate and understanding, not just boastful and proud.

I had the privilege of working with Philip twice over the years, first at Target, just before his editorial A Nation of Sheep was published. One key figure who helped get him out of country was an American nun named Sr. Janice McLaughlin, yet she received no mention. The other time I worked with him was when he was my editor at Kenya Times.

Another dimension of Ochieng that Liz omitted was his love of art and orature as it played out at Paa ya Paa Art Centre in the 1960s. And one of the best things about Ochieng that I’ll never forget is his laughter and easy ability to flash a big smile that could slay almost any hard heart.

I’d recommend that when Longhorn reprints book, they change the cover and find a more flattering photograph of the man.

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