Owallo and Sports PS Tum to lead Oduor’s funeral committee, burial set for November 9

Kenya football legend Austin “Makamu” Oduor’s family has appointed the Deputy Chief of Staff in charge of performance and delivery Management in the Executive Office of the President of Kenya, Eliud Owallo to be the Chairman of the National Funeral Organizing Committee ahead of the legend’s burial on November 9 in Kakamega.
During his message, Owalo the former ICT & Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary stated; “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.”
The current Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President will be charged with the responsibility of coordinating the burial program and will be assisted by Sports Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum. Makamu, 65, passed away on October 16, just two days after attending a public event in Rarieda, Siaya County, where he gave a motivational talk to players from Dero and Siger FC.
The duo will be assisted by Ambrose Rachier, the Chairman of Gor Mahia FC; Dan Shikhanda, Chairman of AFC Leopards FC; Jared Nevaton, Chairman of Shabana FC; and Mr. Cleopas Simanyula-Chairman of Kakamega Homeboyz FC. 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. Other Committee members are former Harambee Stars Coach Jacob”Ghost” Mulei and Sports journalists Elias Makori; Mike Okinyi;Elynah Shivekha; and James Waindi (Sports Journalists Association of Kenya) president.
Oduor was Gor Mahia’s 1987 Africa’s Mandela Cup award winning Captain. He was also the Captain of the Kenya National Soccer Team Harambee Stars for the period 1986-1988. The no-nonsense defender is father to former Harambee Stars goalkeeper Arnold Origi and Uncle to former Belgium National Team and Liverpool FC forward Divock Origi.
The body is lying at the Aga Khan Hospital Mortuary in Kisumu City, with burial slated for Saturday 9th November 2024 at his home in Makunga village, Navakholo Constituency based in Kakamega County.