Former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars team captain Austin Oduor Origi, fondly known as Makamu, collapsed and passed away at his home on Tuesday night in Mumias.
While sharing the sad news on Wednesday, Eliud Owalo, the deputy chief of staff of the Executive Office of the President, expressed shock at the sudden death of the football legend who famously led Gor Mahia to victory in the 1987 Africa Cup Winners’ Cup (Mandela Cup).
“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,” Owalo wrote.
In his eulogy, he reminisced a courtesy call that Origi, alongside other former international soccer stars, had paid him just three days ago at his Gangu Village home in Asembo.
“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.”
The former CS eulogised Origi as a friend, an elder brother, a guardian, and a role model in his life and condoled with his family, friends, and fellow football enthusiasts.
“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!”
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 ex-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.
Other prominent people who mourned the star were renowned Sports Journalist Carol Radull who wrote, “Gor Mahia legend Austin Oduor Origi, also known as "Makamu," has sadly passed away. He was a former captain of both Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia.”
“Oduor famously led Gor Mahia to victory in the 1987 African Cup Winners' Cup (Mandela Cup). He was the father of Arnold Origi, who was Kenya’s No. 1 goalkeeper for many years, and the uncle of ex-Liverpool striker Divock Origi. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time,” she added.
Former Supersport Journalist Collins Okinyo shared memorable moments of the star and condoled with the family, “Austin is the father to Former Kenyan International Arnold Origi top keeper and brother to famous Mike Okoth Origi among others. He was a good friend that I did so many interviews with. May the Legend rest in peace.”
