Thursday 22nd October. That is the last day I saw Mark Odhiambo. We had previously planned to meet for a tell-it-all interview unsuccessfully several times but it finally happened on Thursday 22 October. The big, tough-tackling defender had transitioned from football to being a full-time matatu driver and I was interested to know what had informed this decision and basically how he was fairing on. For a man former Harambee Stars coach Adel Amrouche had once called “the future of the National team defense”, that was such a quick step down but only the shoe-wearer knows where it pinches, and I was therefore very eager to hear from him. SHINE ON YOUR WAY, MARK ODHIAMBOWe share our grief and condolences following the sudden demise of our member, Mark Odhiambo.The former Harambee Stars defender passed away after a short illness. He plied his trade with KPL teams KCB Fc, Tusker Fc and Wazito Fc among others. pic.twitter.com/8Q2oevu9Rh— KEFWA (@kefwaofficial) December 27, 2022 What I thought would take one hour utmost ended up consuming over four hours. This was not an ordinary interview. I spent time with Mark as he drove a “nganya” from Umoja Estate in Eastlands to Nairobi CBD and back and later had lunch with him at a kibanda in Donholm that served the best tilapia fish I have ever eaten. We spoke about about everything about his football career at depth but one thing stood out for me – commitment to his family. The main reason Mark opted to step aside from active football and concentrate fully on working as a matatu driver was the uncertainty in the Kenyan football industry. Family announces tragic death of former Harambee Stars and Tusker defender”Football in Kenya is not really a profession you can depend on. I can do both (juggling between driving matatus and playing football) as I have always done but I can never stop driving matatus because that is what I depend on. That is why I am very focused and happy as a driver – I don’t have to borrow money to meet my basic needs and I support my family through this,” Mark told me back then. What Mark told me back then still holds water and epitomises everything that is wrong with Kenyan football. However, I choose to celebrate Mark today. An ordinary boy from Mbotela whose talent in football saw him play for some of the biggest clubs in Kenya and the National team. That is no mean feat. To the entire Mark Odhiambo family, poleni sana. To the immediate family – Mark loved you and would do anything for you. Poleni sana. To his younger brother George Omondi – Mark was really proud of you. Step up now and show him you are capable. He is watching. Shine on your way Chali Ngori.
