Some times last year, a photo of former Kenyan international football star Dennis Oliech evoked mixed reactions from Kenyans online.
In the photograph, the former Harambee Stars captain spots unkempt facial hair, dry lips and a leaner frame. The photo, which was posted by former Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee left many in awe, wondering what happened to Oliech, once the richest footballer in Kenya.
And like always, most Kenyans mocked Oliech for going broke without caring how some of the words would affect the iconic striker.
Unbeknown to most people, Oliech had just spend a fortune, footing the medical bill of his ailing mother. It is rumored that the now retired striker, spend more than 100 million trying to cure his mother from cancer.
“Dennis Oliech spent Ksh 123 million on his Mum’s medical bill in france to heal Cancer..I will not lift a hand and ridicule anyone who is going through such but pray to God to add more to him. You can ridicule and mock this guy but he remains one in a million,” according to a Facebook post back then.
In a country where Harambees are the order of the day, Oliech should have been applauded for taking care of his mum without making noise about it.
Unfortunately, Mama Oliech did not heal and succumbed to the disease on Friday. As usual, Kenyans forgot the trauma that they had caused Dennis and his family and thronged social media again with messages of condolences.
Last year, Mama Oliech, who is famous for her Mama Oliech restaurants lamented the criticism that had been directed to her son asking Kenyans not to forget that Oliech’s goal took us to our last Afcon appearance 14 years ago.
“It is very unfortunate Kenyans are accusing my son of being broke and living a pathetic life, yet he is the one who at one point raised the Kenyan flag high when his goal helped Stars to qualify for their last Africa Cup of Nations event in 2004,” mama Oliech was quoted by a local paper.
She continued that “He has helped us whenever he can when it comes to family projects. However, all his siblings are stable and have families and jobs of their own. When I was battling Lymphoma Cancer, he played a big role in making sure I got well. He found a doctor in France who treated me from 2013 to 2016.He spent huge amounts of money. Now I am well, I just attend physiotherapy. Also, he supported me to open a second branch of Mama Oliech and a pub at Dagoretti Centre.” Mama Oliech disclosed.
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko recently nominated Oliech and veteran Musa Otieno to the County’s sports management committee but a local newspaper reported the news with a very dubious headline.
Sonko announced the nomination of the duo after assenting to the Nairobi City County Sports Management (Amendment) Bill 2018, which he aims to use as a tool of revamping soccer management in the county.
Assented to Nairobi City County Sports Management (Ammendment) Bill 2018. The Bill gives way for formation of County Sports Committee that will oversee sports development in Nairobi. I’ve nominated ex-Harambee Stars players Musa Otieno & Dennis Oliech to be part of the committee. pic.twitter.com/u3Brqa29ZJ
— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) July 17, 2018
Oliech’s story should act as a lesson to all online bullies that, they should think before tweeting. You never know what someone may be going through.
We condole with the family of Dennis Oliech at this trying moment