NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 16 – Former Harambee Stars, Gor Mahia and Mathare United centre forward Kevin Oliech has succumbed to cancer in a hospital in Germany.
Kevin, who is the younger brother of Harambee Stars all-time goal scorer Dennis Oliech, has been ailing for some time and was under treatment in Germany under the care of his elder brother Ken Oliech.
On behalf of coaches, Kenya Football Coaches Association (Kenfoca) interim chairman, Robert Matano mourned Kevin, eulogizing him as a hardworking, committed and disciplined player.
“Kevin is like my son, my best friend with a good heart and understanding boy, I coached him in Tusker in 2013. I feel sorry to the football fans and the family of Oliech for losing a very young boy like Kevin, my condolences,” senior coach Matano grieved.
Kevin’s sudden death comes two years after that of his mother, Mary Auma Oliech who passed on in July 2018.
Kevin featured for Kenyan Premier League sides Tusker, Ushuru, Thika United, and Nairobi City Stars as well.
Internationally, he played for German fifth tier side KFC Uerdingen 05 and second-tier Alemannia Aachen, among other teams before hanging his boots.
His former club, Mathare United led Kenyans in mourning Kevin.
“We would like to send our deepest condolences to the Oliech family following the passing on of Kevin Oliech on Sunday evening. Kevin, who is brother to Dennis Oliech and Andrew Oyombe, was part of the Mathare United squad that won the 2008 KPL title. May he Rest in Peace.”
Saddened by the untimely death of former Gor Mahia player Kevin Oliech, brother to former Harambee Stars Captain Dennis Oliech, a member of the Nairobi City County Sports Board. Kevin passed on this evening in Germany while undergoing treatment for cancer. pic.twitter.com/gMSBYFfg5r— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) August 16, 2020 It's with deep sorrow that I've learned of the death of a great friend, Kevin Oliech. I offer my condolences to the Oliech family. Kev was a kind person. I remember the last time we met as if it was yesterday. He paid for my lunch at Ranalo. RIP my friend. Gone, but not forgotten pic.twitter.com/yAGfUxLZg6— Hon. Jaguar (@RealJaguarKenya) August 16, 2020 My condolences to the Oliech family & friends on the loss of Kevin Oliech..Rest champ— Churchill (@MwalimChurchill) August 16, 2020 My sympathies & prayers are with our sports fraternity and the Oliech family after the untimely demise of Ex Harambee Stars' Kevin Oliech. I pray that even in death, he continues to inspire hope among the talented from less privileged backgrounds. May he Rest in Peace.— Agnes Kagure (@itsagneskagure) August 16, 2020 My sincere condolences to the family of Kevin Oliech ,may God be with you through this hard times.— Cherryl Awuor (@AwuorCherryl) August 16, 2020