ODINGO, RICHARD SAMSON
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PHOTO CAPTION: Richard Samson Odingo. SOURCE: Daily Nation.
Richard Samson Odingo (March 1935 – June 12, 2021) was a prominent Kenyan scientist renowned for his significant contributions to the field of climate change. His life was marked by academic excellence and dedication to environmental science, which earned him international recognition and numerous accolades.
Richard Samson Odingo was born in March 1935 in Kenya. He was the son of Timotheo Owuor and Norah Atieno Ndhiwa Owuor of Kajimbo in Nyakach, Kisumu County. His educational journey began at Nyang’ori Intermediate School and later at Kakamega Secondary School, where he completed his primary and secondary education respectively. Odingo subsequently pursued higher education in the United Kingdom, earning a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geography from the University of Liverpool in 1963. This remarkable achievement made him one of the first Kenyans to obtain a doctoral degree, laying the foundation for a distinguished and influential academic career.
Odingo’s professional life was predominantly spent in academia and research. He began as a lecturer at Makerere University in Uganda before moving to the University of Nairobi in 1965. His research interests included agricultural geography, climatology, environmental remote sensing, and geographic information systems. Odingo also served as the Chairman of Kenya’s National Climate Change Activities Coordination Committee, playing a crucial role in shaping the country’s climate policies.
Internationally, Odingo was best known for his work with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). He served as the Vice-Chair of the IPCC during its third and fourth assessment cycles and was a contributing author to several key reports. His efforts were instrumental in the IPCC being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007, shared with former U.S. Vice President Al Gore.
Richard Samson Odingo passed away on June 12, 2021, at Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi. His death was mourned by many, including Kenya’s President Uhuru Kenyatta and various international bodies, who recognised his substantial contributions to the fight against climate change and his role in elevating Kenya’s profile on the global stage.
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