By Elias Makori, Managing Editor
Austin “Makamu” Oduor, one of Kenya’s finest defenders ever who died last week, will be laid to rest on November 9 at his Kakamega home, the legend’s family has announced.
The Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President in charge of Performance and Delivery Management, Eliud Owalo, has agreed to head the national committee organizing Oduor’s funeral proceedings assisted by Sports Principal secretary Peter Tum.
Gor Mahia legend Austin 'Makamu' Oduor (left) who died last week with Eliud Owalo, the Executive Office of the President in charge of Performance and Delivery Management, recently
Also in the organizing team are Gor Mahia FC Chairman Ambrose Rachier, his AFC Leopards, Shabana and Kakamega Homeboyz counterparts Dan Shikanda, Jared Nivaton and Cleopa Shimanyula, respectively.
They will be assisted by several ex-Kenya international stars, including Joe “JJ” Masiga, David Ochieng “Kamoga”, Tobias “Jua Kali” Ocholla and Washington Muhanji.
Other committee members include former Harambee Stars coach Jacob “Ghost” Mulee and journalists Elias Makori, Mike Okinyi, Elynah Shivekah and Sports Journalists Association of Kenya President James Waindi.
“This is not a Gor Mahia affair but a national affair,” Owalo said on Wednesday.
Gor Mahia legend Austin _Makamu_ Oduor is interviewed by Elias Makori during his days as Gor coach in 1994
“I have accepted the request to chair the committee organizing Austin’s final journey and we wish to give him a hero’s farewell. Austin was a great Kenyan,” said Owalo who confirmed that he had already started making necessary arrangements.
Oduor died suddenly last week on Tuesday in Kakamega after developing breathing complications, ending the illustrious life of a legend who captained both Gor Mahia FC “K’Ogalo” and Kenya’s nation team, Harambee Stars, to memorable triumphs in the 1980s.
Most significantly, “Makamu” captained “K’Ogalo” to victory in the 1987 Africa Cup Winners Cup (Mandela Cup) after an aggregate victory over Tunisia’s Esperance in the two-leg final.
Gor Mahia legend Austin 'Makamu' Oduor (second left), who died last week, during his days as Gor coach in Khartoum, Sudan, in 1994
“The Origi family together with the co-ordinating committee cordially invites you to join us in celebrating him. Austin Oduor went to be with the Lord suddenly on Tuesday 15th October, 2024, after developing breathing difficulties and was rushed to hospital but unfortunately succumbed,” the family announced in a statement.
“We have lost a father, a husband, a brother, a friend and a role model. Though heavy and painful, we trust in Almighty God to grant us strength, protection and divine providence.
“The burial date is scheduled for Saturday 9th November, 2024, at his home in Makunga, Kakamega County.”
The family further announced that family, relatives, neighbours and friends are meeting daily at his home in Makunga for prayers, and that an MPESA Paybill number 8058765 (Account No: Your Name) has been set up to offer the family financial support, with details of the main fund-raising to be announced at a later date.
“For those in the diaspora and unable to use the Paybill, kindly forward your contributions through Mpesa to Fred Owino: +254720983966,” the family statement added.
Owalo earlier said he was shocked by the legend’s demise, noting he was with Oduor just three days prior to his death when Kenya’s ex-internationals paid him a courtesy call at his home.
“It is with profound shock that I have learnt of the sudden death of Kenyan soccer legend, Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars award-winning Captain Austin “Makamu” Oduor - a soccer idol. It is only three days ago that Austin and other former Kenyan soccer internationals paid a courtesy call on me at our Gangu Village home in Asembo,” said Owalo, previously the Cabinet Secretary in charge of Information, Communication and Digital Economy, in his message upon learning of Oduor’s death.
Gor Mahia legend Austin 'Makamu' Oduor who died last week
“I remember with nostalgia the memorable moments we have spent together with Austin, the guidance I got from him from time to time,the many initiatives we pursued together in supporting grassroots soccer activities, the conceptualisation and operationalising of the Gor Mahia Legends’ Welfare Sustainability Fund and the plans we had for the future,” Owalo added.
“I have lost a friend, an elder brother, a guardian and a role model in life. At this moment of grief, I join the Origi family, friends, relatives and the entire Kenyan soccer fraternity in mourning one of the best and perhaps most disciplined and respected footballers Kenya has ever produced. Fare there well Austin “Makamu” Oduor!”
Oduor came from a footballing family with his younger siblings playing at the highest level of Kenyan club football.
Having started as goalkeeper at Kisii’s Shabana FC, Mike Okoth Origi went on to turn professional in Belgium – where he has since settled permanently - as a striker with clubs such as Genk, Harelbeke, Molenbeek, Heusden-Zolder and Oostende with Anthony Origi having turned out for Kenya Breweries FC (now Tusker FC) and Gerald Origi a stalward at former league giants Utalii FC.
Okoth’s son, Oduor’s nephew Divock Origi, made it big in Europe playing for Liverpool and the Belgian national team at the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil and is currently on Serie A giants AC Milan’s roster.
Oduor was an integral part of the Gor Legends who spend most of their time empowering young, talented footballers as well as supporting their club, Gor Mahia FC under the stewardship of Owalo, an avid football and basketball supporter.
Anthony Origi and cousin Michael Otieno Owino are the family representatives in the committee organizing the legend’s funeral.
Oduor’s body is being preserved at the Aga Khan Hospital Mortuary in Kisumu.