Dr. Johansen Oduor is Kenya’s chief government pathologist, a position he has held since September 2013.
He is known for leading investigations on deaths that have taken place under circumstances that require legal scrutiny.
Narrating his journey in a past interview, Oduor revealed that he was compelled to study medicine by the challenges his community faced while growing up.
The doctor, who grew up in the Eastlands Area, Nairobi County, says he witnessed his community struggle to access quality healthcare, which led him to major in the field, despite his father’s desire for him to become a teacher.
He joined the University of Nairobi, where he pursued a Bachelor of Science Degree in Medicine and Surgery, graduating in 2000.
At UON, his favorite lecturer was the late Prof. George Magoha, whom he described as approachable. Magoha taught Surgery, which was Oduor’s favorite unit.
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“ Life as a medical school student can be challenging, and you need the support of a good lecturer like Mr. Magoha,” Oduor told Standard in a past interview.
It was during this period that his passion for forensic grew and laid a solid foundation for his career specialization. He later enrolled for a master’s in pathology and Forensic medicine at Nairobi University.
He admitted his fear of the dead while starting his career, but he later overcame it and even worked as a mortuary attendant at Chiromo Mortuary during holidays, where he made his first coin as a campus student.
He then proceeded to Witwatersrand University in South Africa to pursue a diploma in forensic medicine, majoring in forensic pathology.
Oduor also holds a Bachelor of Laws degree, Diploma in Law (advocate training program), Diploma in leadership, Strathmore Business School, Nairobi, Kenya.
In 2013, he was appointed Chief Government Pathologist, marking a significant milestone in his career. Oduor, who took over from Dr. Moses Njue, revealed the appointment came as a shock to him, adding that the work was stressful.
“I didn’t expect to be appointed as Government chief pathologist. It was stressful,” he said.
“Since I had decided to help citizens, like when I had decided to help people when I was posted at City Mortuary, I affirmed that I could do this.” He added.
He also serves as the head of the forensic division in Kenya, under the Ministry of Health.
He noted that throughout his career life, Rita Waeni’s murder and Shakahola cult deaths are the most difficult cases he has handled.
