Well over a thousand mourners attended the requiem mass of football legend Austin “Makamu” Oduor at St Theresa's Cathedral Catholic Church in Kibuye, Kisumu County on Friday.
Family, friends, and a vibrant mass of football lovers turned up to pay their respects to the former Gor Mahia and Kenya captain who died on October 15 in Kakamega. Oduor’s body arrived at the church precisely at 10am.
”Oduor is still a legend even after his demise. I was impressed when the caravan arrived on time, something I have rarely seen in my service,” said Father Caroli Achoki who presided the mass.
Football enthusiasts, dressed in white shirts adorned with Oduor’s picture and waving Gor Mahia flags, filled the church grounds.
Eliud Owalo, Deputy Chief of Staff in Charge of Performance and Delivery in the Executive Office of the President and chair of the legend’s funeral steering committee, observed nearly all of Oduor’s former teammates were present to pay their respects.
“We have just held a requiem mass for our friend, brother, and Kenyan soccer icon, Austin “Makamu’ Oduor. Virtually all the players who played with him came to honour him,” Owalo said.
The legends in attendance included Tobias Ochola, JJ Masiga, Mike Amwai, Otieno Solo, Sammy "Kempes" Owino, Mickey Weche, John Bobby Ogolla, Dan Shikanda and George Onyango.
Others were Paul Ochieng', Aliko, Washington Muhanji, Zedekiah “Zeko” Otieno, Peter Dawo, Gerald Omollo, Dan Omino, Peter Lichungu, and Peter Maina.
Gor Mahia great Tobias Ochola (left) and other retired football players during the funeral service at St Theresas Catholic Church, Kibuye in Kisumu on November 08, 2024.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
Other prominent figures in football, including former Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and Gor Mahia chair Ambrose Rachier, were also in attendance. Many shared their tributes of Oduor.
Julius Mawathe, MP for Embakasi South, described him as a true disciplinarian.
“Austin was our captain, a leader who inspired respect. Austin was slightly older than us, together with Sammy “Kempes” Owino, we played for Umeme FC. Austin was our captain. Austin as a captain, everywhere he has been, captain of Umeme FC, captain of Highway, Secondary School, captain of Gor Mahia, captain of Harambee Stars, and a true disciplinarian,” said Mawathe.
“He protected younger players from bullies and was the model of discipline. His sudden demise has left us all deeply saddened.”
Bobby Ogolla, while acknowledging the gap Oduor has left, said that the incoming football leaders should have the interest of players at heart.
“All I can say is that Austin has shown us what leadership is. He's the only Kenyan who has lifted the continental trophy, and glory goes to the Lord for having guided him that far,” said Ogolla.
AFC Leopards chairman Dan Shikanda recounted his honour in playing against Oduor and later under his coaching at Gor Mahia.
Aspirant for the FKF presidency "Kempes" Owino said: “Austin reminds us that true legacy isn’t in status or wealth, but in qualities that endure.”
Washington Muhanji, who was vice-captain to Oduor, spoke of his guidance on the field. “Austin was a gentleman, a corrector. If I made any mistakes in the goal, he was always there to cover for me,” he said.
The family of the late football Legend, Austin 'Makamu' Oduor during the funeral service at St Theresas Catholic Church, Kibuye in Kisumu on November 08, 2024.
Photo credit: Alex Odhiambo | Nation Media Group
“Austin was part of my inspiration to become a coach. We’ve come together to bid farewell to a legend, hoping to emulate his example,” said Mulee.
He added, “Since 1987, no Kenyan team has lifted the continental trophy. Laying him to rest challenges the rest of us to reach the heights he achieved.”
On saturday, thousands of fans from across Kenya and abroad are expected in Kakamega to pay their final respects to the fallen football hero.
The burial service will begin at 9am at Makunga Village, Navakholo Sub-County, Kakamega County.
