Although Divock Origi is arguably Belgian of Kenyan descent- we shall not stop claiming a piece of the young man especially after he wiped his feet with the Barcelona towel. In the 2019 European championship League semi-final, he scored two goals to dispatch a star-studded Barcelona FC with Lionel Messi and Louis Suarez in the mix.
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Otherwise used as a super-sub, coach Jurgen Klopp came up with a secret weapon by benching his lethal striker Mohamed Salah and starting Origi as his leader attacker.
Origi was born in the city of Ostend Belgium 25 years ago to Kenyan parents Mike Okoth Origi, himself a former Harambee Stars striker, and Linda Adhiambo. The senior Origi started off in high school as a goalkeeper at Itierio High and Shabana FC of Kisii. He switched to centre forward when he joined Kenya Breweries FC before going to Belgium via Oman.
Divock is a pure pedigree from a footballing stock with many firsts. His dad Mike Okoth was the first Kenyan to play professional football in Europe. His uncle Austin Oduor Origi played and captained both Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars. His other uncles Gerald and Anthony Origi also played competitive soccer for Utalii and Kenya Breweries respectively. His maternal grandfather the great heading specialist Charles ‘Charlie’ Ochieng played position 10 for Luo Union FC and Harambee Stars. He occasionally paired up with William ‘Chege’ Ouma and is best remembered for scoring the winning goal through a header when Kenya beat Malawi in the 1975 Senior CECAFA tournament.
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Divock’s cousin, Arnold Origi who is Austin’s son was for long Harambee Stars top custodian. He took up Norwegian citizenship. Although he never played for Kenya the country of his ancestors, he was well represented by his relatives who equally achieved a lot for the country.
Divock himself is the first Belgian / Kenyan to play in the FIFA World Cup when it was held in Brazil in 2014. He set the record by being the first player of Kenyan descent to score in a World Cup and also to score two goals against the great Barcelona FC. What an achievement! He started off by playing for Lille FC in France before joining Liverpool junior and now senior team.
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The only son and first born in the family, Divock has one sister Natasha Origi. Despite being born, bred and raised in Belgium Divock is also gifted in languages. At 25 years old, he speaks five languages, Luo, English, Kiswahili, Sheng, Belgian, Flemish and French fluently.
Did I hear Liverpool fans saying his statue should be erected at Anfield stadium? When the story Kenya’s football shall be written the Origi’s will have a special place in the inner pages.
