Austin Odhiambo: Former Slum Boy Fighting to Protect Dusty Baba Dogo Ground That Built Him
- Austin Odhiambo has become one of Harambee Stars’ brightest lights at CHAN 2024, scoring crucial goals and lifting Kenya’s hopes
- But even as he shines on the big stage, his heart remains at Baba Dogo Grounds, the humble slum pitch that built him
- Now, he’s fighting to save it from developers, determined to leave a legacy bigger than football itself
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At Baba Dogo Grounds in Nairobi’s Eastlands, children still gather every evening to kick worn-out footballs across a dusty patch of land.
Source: UGC
For many, the dream is simple: to escape the grind of ghetto life and carve out a future through the game.
Austin Odhiambo's humble beginnings
Few embody that dream better than Austin Odhiambo, one of Kenya’s standout players at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
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Born and raised in the slums, the story of the man affably nicknamed Rolls Royce is one of grit, resilience, and determination.
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He first learned how to play the game at Baba Dogo Grounds, where tattered nets and makeshift goalposts were the only facilities available.
Despite the challenges, he rose through the ranks to become one of Kenya’s most celebrated players, turning out for giants AFC Leopards before crossing over to their fierce rivals Gor Mahia.
Source: UGC
Austin Odhiambo's role in Harambee Stars
At CHAN 2024, Austin has become a household name.
He scored Kenya’s first goal of the tournament against DR Congo, sparking the Harambee Stars’ campaign to life, and later equalised against Angola through a penalty kick.
His contributions have not only lifted the team but also brought financial rewards, with players pocketing KSh 1 million after their opening victory and KSh 500,000 each from the second match.
Yet for all his achievements on the continental stage, Austin’s heart remains tied to the dusty ground that shaped him.
Whenever his schedule allows, he still returns to Baba Dogo Grounds, spending time with the young players who look up to him as living proof that greatness can sprout from the most humble beginnings.
Baba Dogo grounds under threat
But the field that moulded him is now under threat. A private developer has been eyeing the land, with plans to commercialise it—an idea that unsettles Austin deeply.
“Those kids are the future of our community, which is why I am passionate about that ground,” Austin said in an interview. “For me to have risen from that same place gives them hope that they, too, can rise out of the doldrums.”
For Austin, the issue is not just about preserving a football pitch but about protecting a lifeline.
Baba Dogo Grounds, he explains, is the only recreational facility in the area, a space that has kept thousands of youths away from crime.
Source: UGC
How Baba Dogo Ground reduces crime
Instead of idling on street corners or being lured into gangs, they gather at the ground, channelling their energy into football and other sports.
“In many ways, that ground is our community’s heartbeat,” he said. “Without it, we risk losing a whole generation of talent and discipline.”
The fight to preserve Baba Dogo Grounds has not been easy.
Austin has used his rising profile to amplify the issue, even taking his concerns directly to President William Ruto. During a recent session with players, the president pledged to look into the matter.
“I will handle that, even if it means paying for that land myself,” Ruto assured, a promise that injected fresh hope into the campaign.
Why Austin Odhiambo wants Baba Dogo ground saved
Austin’s determination to protect the ground is fueled not just by nostalgia but by a vision of continuity.
He wants to ensure that the next Austin Odhiambo, the barefoot boy dribbling a torn ball at dusk, will have a chance to shine, just as he did.
As he prepares to leave Kenya for an international career, Austin admits that his biggest wish is not just to represent the country abroad but to safeguard the space that made him.
“If I can secure Baba Dogo Grounds, that will be my greatest legacy,” he said. “It would mean more to me than any medal or trophy.”
Source: Facebook
Baba Dogo Ground is Austin's legacy
Football, for Austin, is more than a career. It is a bridge from poverty to possibility, a language that unites communities and heals wounds.
At CHAN 2024, he has been instrumental in Harambee Stars’ remarkable run, scoring crucial goals and proving his worth as one of Kenya's best players.
Yet off the pitch, he is quietly fighting a battle that could shape the destiny of countless young lives.
Austin Odhiambo's story is not just about talent; it is about responsibility. He carries with him the hopes of a community that sees in him not just a football star but a guardian of their dreams.
Whether Harambee Stars lift the CHAN trophy or not, Austin’s legacy may well be defined by what happens to Baba Dogo Grounds, a modest field that gave the world a star and now needs saving.
And for Austin, saving it would be the ultimate victory.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
