Eliud Owalo, the deputy chief of staff of the Executive Office of the President, shared the sad news on Wednesday, October 16
Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars team captain Austin Oduor Origi, fondly known as Makamu on Tuesday night, October 15 collapsed and died at his home in Mumias, Kakamega County.
Eliud Owalo, the deputy chief of staff of the Executive Office of the President, shared the sad news on Wednesday, October 16, mourning the departed as a Kenyan soccer legend and an award-winning captain of the country’s national team, labelling him a soccer idol.
He recounted the last moments he shared with the football legend who famously led Gor Mahia to victory in the 1987 Africa Cup Winners’ Cup (Mandela Cup).
“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,” Owalo wrote in part.
Former footballer Austin Oduor Origi with deputy Chief of Staff, Eliud Owalo. /ELIUD OWALO
“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.”
According to the former Cabinet Secretary, he lost a friend, an elder brother, a guardian, and a role model in life.
Famously from a football family, Origi was the father of Arnold Origi, who was Kenya’s No. 1 goalkeeper for many years and the only Kenyan to play in Europe for more than 15 years.
He is also the uncle of former Liverpool striker Divock Origi. His brother Mike Okoth Origi is also another legendary figure in Kenyan football who starred for Harambee Stars in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Origi started his football career in 1976 with the Umeme FC before joining the legendary Gor Mahia in 1980 where he would eventually lead the team to several victories including the Mandela Cup. It was here that he also earned his nickname Makamu for often deputising the legendary Sammy ‘Kempes’ Owino.
Later joining the national team Harambee Stars, he is famously remembered for converting the final penalty against Malawi to take Harambee Stars to the finals in 1987 during the 4th All-African Games. He was a part of the squad that qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations three consecutive times.
“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 thee well Austin “Makamu” Oduor!” Owalo added.
Other prominent figures to join in mourning the star were Sports Journalist Carol Radull, who wrote “Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Former Supersport Journalist Collins Okinyo shared memorable moments of the star and condoled with the family, “He was a good friend that I did so many interviews with. May the Legend rest in peace.”
