Burial date set for Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars legend Austin 'Makamu' Oduor

The late Austin Oduor. IMAGE/ Courtesy

Burial date set for Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars legend Austin 'Makamu' Oduor

Festus Chuma 09:10 - 24.10.2024

Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars captain Austin Oduor Origi will be laid to rest in his hometown, leaving behind a lasting legacy.

Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars captain Austin Oduor Origi will be laid to rest on November 9, 2024 at his rural home in Makunga, Kakamega County.

The former central defender, who made a significant mark in Kenyan football, passed away on October 15, 2024, after experiencing breathing difficulties.

The committee handling the burial arrangements includes prominent figures such as former Information, Communication, and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, former Harambee Stars coach Jacob Mulee, and sports journalists Elias Makori, Mike Okinyi, Elynah Shiveka, and James Waindi.

In a heartfelt statement, his family confirmed the burial date and shared the deep impact Oduor had on those around him.

"He meant a lot not only to us as a family, but he also impacted many people in so many different ways. He had a massive impact,” said Arnold Origi, Oduor’s son, and former Harambee Stars goalkeeper as per Nation.

The Origi family, which boasts a legacy of football excellence, has been left devastated by the loss of its patriarch.

Austin Oduor is remembered for captaining both Gor Mahia and the national team Harambee Stars during his illustrious career.

His leadership helped Gor Mahia secure a hat-trick of league titles between 1983 and 1985, but his crowning achievement came in 1987 when he lifted the Mandela Cup.

In that historic final, Gor Mahia triumphed over Tunisian giants Esperance, marking the pinnacle of the club’s success.

"He was a captain like no other—calm, focused, and disciplined. He knew how to lead and inspire the team in both good and bad times," said  Harambee Stars legend Elijah Onsika recalling Oduor’s leadership qualities.

Mulee, who also coached the national team after Oduor’s era, acknowledged the profound influence he had on Kenyan football and the generations that followed.

Oduor also played a crucial role in Harambee Stars’ qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) three consecutive times during his tenure, a feat that remains unmatched in Kenya's football history.

His contributions to the national team, both as a player and leader, made him a revered figure, whose legacy will live on long after his passing.

His family’s football legacy extends beyond Austin, with his son Arnold Origi playing as a goalkeeper for Harambee Stars, while his other son Mike Okoth captained the national team during his time.

Additionally, Gerald and Anthony, his other sons, pursued football careers at various levels.

Oduor's nephew Divock Origi currently plays for the Italian giants AC Milan continuing the family’s rich football tradition on the global stage.