Former Stars Captain Dennis Oliech’s mother dies

Mama Oliech at her fish kiosk in NairobI, July 9, 2015.

Mary Auma Oliech, the mother to former Harambee Stars captain Dennis Oliech has died. Auma passed away on Friday at her Lavington home in Nairobi.

Oliech’s elder brother and manager Nickson Onywanda confirmed his mother’s death and said the body has been moved to Umash Funeral Home.

MAMA Oliech at her fish kiosk in Nairobi. Photo by WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD

“She fell ill and we were preparing to take her to hospital but she passed away before we could do that,” Onywanda said.

Despite having a famous son, the late Auma was also popular in her own right and was well known for her finger-licking food at the well-known ‘Mama Oliech’ restaurant which she managed.

Five years ago, she was diagnosed with cancer and spent close to one year undergoing treatment in Paris where Oliech was playing football.

MAMA Oliech at her fish kiosk in Nairobi. Photo by WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD

Last year she had to come out and defend her son over reports that he had fallen on bad times.

“Kenyans are accusing my son of 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 in 2004,” she told the media. Mama Oliech also elaborated how her son spent a lot of money on her treatment.

MAMA Oliech's fish kiosk in Nairobi. Photo by WILLIS AWANDU/STANDARD

“He has helped us whenever he can when it comes to family projects. When I was battling 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,” she said.

“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.”