Widely regarded as one of Kenya's best-ever footballers, he announced his retirement from the sport on Sunday, January 9.
Dennis Oliech had an iconic career that began at Dagoretti Santos in Nairobi and later, Mathare United before he turned professional in 2003 with a move to Qatari club, Al-Arabi. Oliech, otherwise known as 'Dess' or 'Kajole' went on to play for Nantes, Auxerre, Ajaccio, Dubai SCS and Gor Mahia before hanging his boots.
He scored 34 goals for the national team, Harambee Stars, and is the country's second all-time top scorer after Ouma Chege, who played in the '80s and scored 36 goals. Unknown to some, however, Oliech was once given only one hour to make up his mind on a lucrative offer to change his citizenship.
In 2004, after his move to Al-Arabi, Oliech was considered one of the hottest prospects in world football.
Aged nineteen at the time, UK newspaper The Guardian included him in a list of the most promising young players that featured, among others, Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie.
In June of that year, Oliech received an offer to change his nationality from Kenyan to Qatari, with an estimated Ksh200 million offer.
He had scored a memorable last-minute winner against Cape Verde to send Kenya to the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Tunisia and was approached on the eve of the tournament. He chose, however, to retain his Kenyan citizenship.
"I believe I have made the right decision. I love my country and would not take anything to change my identity," he told Daily Nation at the time, cementing his hero status among Kenyan fans.
Oliech's late mother Mary Auma Oliech popularly known as Mama Oliech backed his son as the news got Kenyans talking, telling the press that Oliech had his pride and "money is not everything".
Regardless of a few uninspiring spells in his career, when he faced injuries and goal droughts, Oliech remains one of the country's most decorated sportsmen.
He has won trophies, played at the UEFA Champions League stage and scored several goals that will forever be etched in football lovers' minds.
In addition, Oliech inspired the next generation of Kenyan football superstars that includes Harambee Stars target-man Michael Olunga.
Oliech disclosed that having retired from football, he plans on becoming an agent and leveraging his connections in the business to help talented footballers develop their careers.
“I will be an agent for young talented footballers to enable them join clubs in Europe. I'm not interested in coaching as I feel I have done enough in playing and now is time to help others grow their talents by ensuring they join good clubs," he explained.
