Curtains come down on youthful actor Hezron Ochieng’ Ragen

Actor Hezron Ochieng died at the age of 33 Saturday night. He was the best actor at the 2009 edition of the annual Kenya Schools, Colleges and Universities Festival. PHOTO COURTESY

Tunes of drums and dirges will sound tomorrow as the body of Actor Hezron Ochieng’ Ragen who died at the age of 33 will be laid to rest at his Ahero homeland in Kisumu County.

Hezron had passed on a fortnight ago after a short illness at the Kisumu District General Hospital.

Many will miss his signature voice on radio that ruled the Lake Victoria Airwaves and the deep sense of humour.

For a person who planted the seeds of acting in humble beginning at Lela Mixed Secondary School, the news of his sudden demise was received by shock by many he impacted on.

Dr. Simon Peter Otieno of the University of Nairobi and the head of the National Schools and Colleges Film programme mourned Hezron saying that was a life well lived even within the short time registering huge achievements.

“Ragen is a true symbol of the great investments in the arts and we thank God for his life," he said.

The talented Ragen was declared the national Best Actor at the annual Kenya Schools, Colleges and Universities Drama Festival (KNSCUDF) held in Kakamega in 2009 as the main actor in The Riddle of Nam Lolwe written and directed by Ralph Wangatia then of Kaimosi Technical Training Colleges.

According to Mr. Khaemba Sirengo, the Executive Secretary KNSCUDF on behalf of the membership of its Executive Committee, Ragen was a sign of success of the fete.

"We offer our heartfelt condolences to the family of Ragen who accomplished his endeavours in a simple yet very powerful demeanour. We have lost an artiste who made us reflect very seriously on our society using a crucial genre that defines the African artistic space,” he said.

Ragen was popularly known to his fans as Professor Ikaristus Anderi and is best remembered for mentoring young talent and always at hand to help upcoming artistes.

"Ikaristus was a celebrated comedian and a narrator whose ways and art will be missed by many. He taught us how to laugh," said George Chunga of the Storytellers Society.

He said, “this fallen man taught me how to maneuver in the industry, when the tides were high and when I was on the verge of giving up you gave me encouraging words that ensured that I stood on my feet."

 

 

As a member of Lagnet Theatre  group, Ragen acted a very comical character 'Agege' in 'Aminata' which was a secondary school set book  written by Francis Imbuga. The group toured many schools such as Onjiko, Rae, Migingo, Otieno Oyoo, Lela Etc.

He was a founding director of the Lagnet Theatre together with Desai Ogada, where he honed his skills as a grand community mobiliser on behaviour change around the themes of HIV an Aids, Malaria, TB and other youth reproductive health issues using the Theatre for Development approach.

As a prolific narrator, he won a place at the prestigious Kenya Talent Academy.

Some of the films Ragen was involved in include Mogo Sanda, Agudho in Kisumo, Lak and Mpango Wa Kando.

Ragen had earlier joined Kaimosi TTC where he graduated as a P1 teacher and got his job as a journalist at Lake Victoria F.M where he build his fame tackling societal issues in the most humorous approach.

"Why should death rob us of such a great person full of life and rib tickling jokes. He would make me smile whenever was down. Baba Profesa Ikaristus Anderi I lack words oh!!! RIP wuod Ahero Nyando!" mourned his friend and colleague Godfrey Oyyekoredo.

The body will be moved from the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Referral Hospital Mortuary on Wednesday this week with a solemn funeral ceremony spiced with artistic send-off the following day at his home in Ahero Kano, Kosida.

Ragen has left a widow (his wife) and two daughters.