Kenya football legend Austin “Makamu” Oduor’s family has appointed the former Information and Technology Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, to ensure the former Harambee Stars player gets a proper send off.
Owalo, who is currently the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of performance and delivery Management at the Executive Office of the President of Kenya, will chair the National Funeral Organizing Committee ahead of the burial scheduled for November 9th in Kakamega County.
His main responsibilities will be coordinating the burial program, assisted by Sports Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum.
“We are here to give Austin a sendoff befitting a man of his stature and this committee has been formed to specifically address that. He served this nation with dedication, and his legacy will be celebrated by future generations,” said Owallo.
Deceased former Gormahia and Harambee Stars Captain Austin Odour with a microphone during a past function, by his side is former club and national teammate John Bobby Ogolla. Photo:CourtesyThe duo will be assisted by Gor Mahia FC chairman Ambrose Rachier, Dan Shikhanda (AFC Leopards) Jared Nevaton (Shabana FC) and Cleopas Simanyula of Kakamega Homeboyz FC.
The other committee members include Kenyan Soccer Legends David Ochieng “Kamoga”; Dr. JJ Masiga; Tobias Ocholla “Jua Kali”; and Washington Muhanji, who was Austin’s Vice Captain at Harambee Stars.
Veteran journalists led by Sports Journalist Association of Kenya James Waindi, Elias Makori, Mike Okinyi and Elynah Shiveka will also be part of the committee alongside former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee.
The 65-year-old Ex- Gor Mahia star is the father to former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi and uncle to former Belgium National Team and Liverpool FC forward Divock Origi.
‘Makamu’ passed away on October 16th, two days after attending a public event in Rarieda, Siaya County, where he gave a motivational speech to players from local clubs Dero and Siger FC.
Oduor was Gor Mahia’s 1987 Africa’s Mandela Cup award winning Captain and also the Captain of the Kenya National Soccer Team Harambee Stars for the period 1986-1988.
His body is lying at the Aga Khan Hospital Mortuary in Kisumu City, he will be laid to rest at his home in Makunga village, Navakholo Constituency, Kakamega County.
