The national steering committee responsible for organising the burial preparations for legendary Kenyan football defender Austin ‘Makamu’ Oduor has scheduled a fundraiser for Tuesday, November 5, at a Nairobi hotel.
The burial, which will be fully funded by the government through the Ministry of Sports, is set to take place on Saturday, November 9, at his home in Makungu Village, Navakholo Constituency, Kakamega County.
During a meeting held on Tuesday, October 29, chaired by Eliud Owalo, the Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Performance and Delivery Management in the Office of the President, it was agreed that a memorial service for the former K’Ogallo star would be held on Friday, November 8, at St Theresa’s Cathedral Catholic Church in Kibuye, Kisumu County, after consulting with the family.
“I have this evening chaired the national steering committee meeting for former Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars captain Austin ‘Makamu’ Oduor’s burial arrangements,” noted Owalo, adding, “We continue praying with and for the family during this difficult time.”
Burial programme
Following the memorial service, there will be a public viewing of Oduor’s body by locals and fans at the Kisumu Jomo Kenyatta Grounds on the same day. The body will then be transported to Makamu’s rural home in Makungu Village for an overnight stay and night vigil.
The Tuesday night meeting was attended by Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier, Shabana FC chairman Jared Nevton, Ministry of Sports Secretary of Administration Achoki and ex-internationals David ‘Kamonga’ Ochieng, JJ Masiga, Tobias ‘Jua Kali’ Ocholla, Mickey Weche and Micke Otieno.
Also present were sports journalists Elias Makori, Mike Okinyi, and James Waindi, along with family representatives Antony Origi and Michael Otieno Owino.
The no-nonsense father of former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi and uncle to former Belgium national team and Liverpool FC forward Divock Origi passed away on October 16 at the age of 60, just two days after attending a public event in Rarieda, Siaya County, where he gave a motivational talk to players from Dero and Siger football clubs.
Oduor captained Gor Mahia to victory in the 1987 Africa Mandela Cup and led the national football team, Harambee Stars, from 1986 to 1988.
