Ex-Harambee Stars defender Mark Odhiambo died on the morning of Tuesday, December 27, 2022 at Coptic Hospital in Nairobi where he had been admitted for a week in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU).
His younger brother George Omondi, who turns out for Ulinzi Stars in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL), said head scans at The Karen Hospital had revealed that the former Mbotela Kamaliza, Tusker, KCB and Wazito defender had blood clot in the brain.
Odhiambo played for Tusker FC, Wazito and KCB in the Kenyan Premier League
Like many Kenyan footballers, Odhiambo started his career at Mbotela Kamaliza in Nairobi’s Eastlands
Former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche has led football fraternity in mourning former defender Mark Odhiambo, saying he was a “warrior” on the pitch
His younger brother George Omondi, who turns out for Ulinzi Stars in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL), said head scans at The Karen Hospital had revealed that the former Mbotela Kamaliza, Tusker, KCB and Wazito defender had blood clot in the brain.
“He had been well until last week on Wednesday when he started convulsing,” said Omondi.
“He was then admitted at Coptic Hospital in the ICU where he died today at 11:05am.”
Recalling when he called him into the national team, Amrouche said he was impressed with Odhiambo’s fighting spirit.
“He knew how to fight, to me he was like a warrior,” said Amrouche who handled Harambee Stars in 2013 and 2014.
“I recall his statement that he was ready to take any task that I would offer him in the team. He was a very nice person and I have very good memories of him. I am really saddened by his death and I send my heartfelt condolences to his family in Kenya.”
The Algerian-born coach also recalled how the father of three (two boys and one girl), would on his free time play the busy Umoja route as a matatu driver, saying he was “hardworking and always wanted to give the best to his family.”
Until his death, Odhiambo was working as a driver for a local hotel.
Omondi, who has been out of action for quite some time now due to an injury, said Odhiambo was an ambitious footballer who worked hard to realise his dream of donning the national team colours.
“He used to work very hard which eventually paid off when he got a call up to the national team. That motivated me a lot and I also wanted to be in the national team like him,” he said.
Former Tusker Chief Executive Officer Charles Obiny, who signed him at the club, said Odhiambo was a role model to many upcoming players at the club.
“He was a very talented and disciplined player,” said Obiny.
