Former Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech has opened up about why he feels rejecting Ksh200 million from Qatar to switch nationalities was a good decision.
Former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has opened up on why he feels rejecting Ksh200 million from Qatar to switch nationalities was his best-ever decision in life.
At the turn of the millennium, Oliech was among the world’s most promising young players, ranked alongside the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, and Qatar saw the huge potential which they wanted to lure away from Kenya.
Aged just 19, Oliech was offered a chance to switch to Qatar in 2004, while turning out for Al-Arabi, but he turned it down, a decision that was lauded by some while others felt he made a blunder.
However, Oliech insists he has no regrets as looking at it now, he has been vindicated given what is happening to Kenyans working in the Gulf.
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“The offer was there and they told me if you change nationalities, we can offer you the cash but I was like I am from Kenya so I called about two or three people and asked them; ‘hey, they are offering me money, what if I take it?’” Oliech told Radio 47.
“But they told me; ‘it is you who is there, you know the weather and how it is.’ I made the best decision ever. Look at it now, Kenyans working as domestic workers in the Gulf, especially Saudi and Qatar.
“Look at the stories that come from there, about the kind of mistreatment they are subjected to. Those are not good people; they are only good when they need you.”
Oliech further explained some of the suffering foreigners or those who change nationalities are subjected to in the Gulf to stress his point.
“You cannot leave the airport without a letter from your employer. That is why I decided not to take the money,” added Oliech.
“Of course, if I took the money, I would have helped my family but at the end of the day, it is you in problems.
“They are capable of taking your passport and even putting on you something like alcohol which can have you jailed and you will never see that money.”
Oliech had been given a new name and passport by the Qataris when the offer was made but he turned it down, playing for Al-Arabi for three years before moving to France to join Nantes.
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The striker, who is Kenya’s second all-time top scorer with 34 goals, went on to play for Nantes, Auxerre and Ajaccio before returning to the Gulf with Dubai SC and ending his career at Gor Mahia.
