Nairobi Governor Mike Mbuvi Sonko yesterday evening condoled with the family of the late Kevin Oliech at their Kilimani home. Kevin, 33, who passed on while undergoing treatment for a cancerous malignant in Berlin, Germany, was the younger sibling of renowned footballer and Harambee stars all-time top goal scorer Dennis Oliech and Andrew Oyombe.
The Governor, who was accompanied by Nairobi MCAs, county executives and businessman Paul Kobia, mourned Kevin eulogising him as a dedicated, disciplined and pivotal player whose demise will be hard to come to terms with.
"I have a close personal relationship with this (Oliech's) family and Kevin was a humble and enthusiastic human who did not ride on his family's position in local football but built his career with sheer passion and dedication for the sport when he played for various football clubs as well as the national team. It is such a painful loss of a young lad still full of positive energy."
Also read: CMB Prezzo mourns Kelvin Oliech
Adding: "I will stand with you and pray that you may find solace at this trying time because we are all on the same journey. “Kevin is in a better place," said Kobia as he pledged his support describing the deceased as a joyous lover of life who touched lives and left smiles. "He always meant well with whoever he met and was a friend of all. May he rest in peace".
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During his career, Kevin also featured for Kenyan premier league sides Tusker, Ushuru, City Stars and Thika United and was part of the Mathare United squad that won the league in 2008. Present during the evening prayers were his elder brothers Chigi, Apache, Dennis and younger sister Elsie. Top reggae deejay Kriss Darlin, husband to Kevin's sister Elsie, on behalf of the family thanked the Governor's team for standing with the family and urged them to stick until the final day when they lay Kevin to rest.
"We are facing tough economic times because of the pandemic and most people shied away but your support and encouragement shines a ray of hope to the family," he said. Kevin's body is expected in the country this evening at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) accompanied by his elder brother Ken who was his overseer in Germany where he resides.
The Governor gave a cash donation of Sh400,000 besides pledging to offer more support during the burial activities. "We will be at hand to cater for any other costs until our beloved brother lays to rest," he pledged. Kevin will be laid to rest this weekend at the family farm in Seme village, Madeni, Kisumu county.
Also read: Oliech, the hero that was denied a befitting farewell
