How boy with Kenyan roots conquered Europe
For close to four decades, the Origis name has dominated the Kenyan football landscape.
From the legendary Austin Oduor (Origi’s father and former Harambee Stars and Gor Mahia great) to Uncle Gerald Origi, this football family has given so much to the country they so dearly loved, but in return, got nothing from their motherland.
Then there is Mike Okoth Origi, Arnold Origi’s uncle and father to Belgian international and Liverpool forward Divock Origi.
Other members of the Origi family, who made it to the big show are defenders Anthony and Jared who previously turned out for Kenya Breweries and the defunct Utalii respectively.
In fact, this family has produced some of Kenya’s finest football gems, so much so that if the Kenyan football history books are to be written, they would easily have a whole chapter to themselves.
Their dominance has been so great and their talent refined that it becomes practically difficult to pick out who among them is the football scion.
While Oduor was a revered legend in his heydays; being the cog and spine of a ruthless Gor Mahia machine and Harambee Stars, Mike Okoth, his younger brother and Divock’s father, did equally great – notching several goals in the national colours – while also keeping the Kenyan flag high in Europe, where he played his professional football.
