Gor Mahia legend Austine Oduor collapses, dies at his Mumias home

By Peter Ochieng

Former Gor Mahia Captain, Austine ‘Makamu’ Oduor Origi is dead.

Oduor collapsed and died at his Mumias home on Tuesday night, the club said in a short statement posted on social media.

“We woke up to sad news this morning. Our legend Austin Oduor who was the captain in the 1987 squad that won the continental title (Mandela Cup) dies at his home in Mumias. Our sincere condolences to the family, relatives and friends.”

The family stated that he collapsed and was rushed to hospital with heart complications. He was put on oxygen, but sadly passed on.

On Saturday, October 12, 2024, Oduor was among Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars legends who accompanied Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, Performance and Delivery Management, Eliud Owalo to a tracksuit donation drive in Rarieda, Siaya County.

60 pairs of tracksuits were handed to Dero Siger FC respectively.

“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,” Owalo said in his condolence message.

“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,” he added.

“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 conceptualization and operationalization of the Gor Mahia legends’ welfare sustainability fund and the plans we had for the future.”

Owalo said he has 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,” added the former ICT Cabinet Secretary (CS). 

Oduor is the father of former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi, uncle to former Liverpool striker Divock Origi (currently with AC Milan) and brother to Belgium-based former Harmbee Stars and Shabana striker, Mike Okoth Origi.