You were a hero in more ways than one. 

Family Background

Dennis Wasonga Odongo was born on 15th October 1980 in Kakamega, to Dr. Hezron and Mrs. Mary Theresa Odongo. He was the third born and brother to Mildred Auma Odongo, Anthony Odenyo Odongo, Evalyne Atieno Odongo and Allan Odongo. He was baptized and confirmed in A.C.K. Christ Church.

Education

He attended Kakamega Primary School and Star Academy for his primary education. He sat for his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education, K.C.S.E at Kakamega High School, thereafter attending Visions Institute of Professionals (2000 – 2002) in Nairobi for a diploma in Information Technology (IMIS). He worked as a trainee computer technician for Circuit Business Systems in 2003 before enrolling for a Bachelor of Arts, (B.A.) in International Relations at the United States International University (U.S.I.U) in 2005. Following his graduation in 2009, Dennis commenced his Master’s Degree (MBA) in Business Administration, specializing in Strategic Management in May 2010. He was scheduled to complete his MBA in December 2014. 

Work Experience

He worked as a submissions officer with VSF Global services in 2011, a VISA consultant with Stedder VISA consultants in 2013, before joining Teleperformance Kenya in March 2014. He was also a director of Majibuts Associates and Upper Nile Holdings Limited. 

Interests

Dennis was a talented athlete, excelling in every sport he participated in, but his first love was hockey; he lived/loved hockey. He took up hockey while at Kakamega High School and has played for the Kenya Polytechnic Hockey Team (2000 - 2002), Wazalendo Hockey Club (2003 - 2004) and the U.S.I.U Hockey Team (since 2005). He was captain of the U.S.I.U Hockey Team from 2007 to 2009. He ably represented his teams in various tournaments both locally and abroad. 

Death

Dennis played the game of his life on the weekend of 31st May to 1st June 2014. On the evening of 1st June 2014, he complained of fatigue and planned to sleep in before proceeding to City Park for the continuing hockey tournament on 2nd of June 2014. His friends, per his wishes, let him sleep in a little longer, but at the appointed time when they went to wake him, found that he had passed on peacefully in his sleep. The autopsy ruled the cause of death as heart failure.