Brian Osweta: A Data Journalist and A Man of Great Faith

Published on Dec. 23, 2024, 8:24 p.m.

Brian Osweta is a born-again Christian. He works as a data journalist at the BBC East Africa Bureau. He previously worked at Nation Media Group, Gilitics Media and Baraka FM. What was your Chevening Cohort, what did you study and in which University? I was in the 2018/2019 Cohort and I did an MA in International Journalism at Cardiff University How was your Chevening experience and how did it or has it impacted your life? My Chevening experience was the best in my entire life. After the application and interview, I was put on the reserve list which meant I was not guaranteed a slot until I was later upgraded. During this period, I got to practice 'faith that can move mountains'. I was so confident about getting the scholarship that I decided to give a resignation notice at my workplace and did the TB test even before I got my final offer. During my last week at the office, I went for a training session at one of the beach hotels in Diani and everything eventually worked out. The entire morning, I kept on refreshing my emails, but nothing came up. It wasn’t until lunch break when I decided to casually check my email and had my Eureka moment! As they say, the rest is history! That said, going through the program was amazing. Apart from my schoolwork, I was chosen as one of the Chevening Social Media Ambassadors (SMAs) who showcase what it is like to be a Chevening scholar by attending events and documenting their experiences of life in the UK. I love travelling and meeting new people, I excelled at this task, and I was crowned Chevening Social Media Ambassador of the Year 2018/2019. All in all, I have made long-lasting connections through Chevening that have positively influenced my life. This has changed my global perspective and has made it possible for me to interact freely with anyone from whichever corner of the world they come from. As a Chevening Leader, what would you consider your proudest moment or greatest achievement? In 2020, I did a documentary on the COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on widows living with HIV. As a result, well-wishers, leaders and the community came forth, and their lives changed. The women got their homes upgraded, and medical supplies, and also had their businesses boosted to help them cope with the pandemic. Being able to make a difference in the lives of these women has been the greatest achievement in my life. Who or what has had the greatest influence on your life? Dr. Julius Musyimi has influenced me greatly. He is a doctor, friend, and mentor who has inspired me to believe in second chances and improve my confidence. He has also influenced my walk with Christ—my biggest pillar that keeps me going day by day. What is the most important lesson you have learned in life? The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, nor bread to the wise, nor riches to men of understanding, nor favour to men of skill; but time and chance happen to them all. Make the best of every opportunity you get. Finally, do not hold so dearly the things of this world; just as you came to this world with nothing, so will you leave with nothing. How would you like to be remembered? I would love to be remembered as someone who was kind, and loving, and always tried to bring the best out of every life I touched.