Oliech: Kibra? No Thank you, I’d have gone for Dagoretti North

Former Harambee Stars striker Dennis Oliech. [Courtesy]

When Dennis Oliech signed up for Gor Mahia last year, the legendary story of his success on the pitch was to continue.

The story, however, has momentarily ended – with a bitter fallout and unending accusations.

Oliech, a prolific number 9, now says Gor lied he wanted to contest the Kibra Parliamentary seat in Nairobi.

Speaking to Goal.com on Wednesday, Oliech claimed the rumours that he wants to be elected Kibra MP were spread by unknown people.

Gor Mahia terminated Oliech’s contract on Tuesday citing his political aspirations, saying the move would portray the club in a bad light.

The former Harambee Stars striker indicated that he would have made a public announcement if he was to join politics.

“If I wanted to vie for the seat I would have surely made a public announcement. Somebody sent me the photo [showing Oliech on a political banner] on WhatsApp and I forwarded it to our group [the players' WhatsApp group] just trying to show I was not aware of the banner going around.

The striker pointed out the reports might have emerged after his former teammate McDonald Mariga was also rumoured to have declared an interest in the seat.

“People are just trying to create controversy from where it does not exist at all but I know because there are reports McDonald Mariga will vie for the seat then people want to start pushing me into politics.

“If I wanted any seat I would have gone for Dagoretti North and not Kibra. I am not a resident at Kibra so the rumours do not make sense at all. To make it worse Gor Mahia have gone on to believe all the reports without even calling me to seek clarifications from my end,” Oliech told Goal.com.

K’Ogalo revealed they also decided to terminate Oliech’s contract due to disciplinary reasons and performance issues.

“In pursuance of the provisions of Clause 6 of your Player Agreement Contract entered into with Gor Mahia Football Club we hereby write to advise you that we have terminated your contract with immediate effect on grounds of Just Cause as also stipulated in FIFA Article 14 Regulations of the Statues and Transfer of Players,” wrote K’Ogalo.

Dennis Oliech assists Samwel Odhiambo, goalkeeper of Western Stima FC, during a past Kpl match at Kasarani Stadium. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

The club claimed it tried to reach out to the striker to no avail.

“You are and have been guilty of serious misconduct and continued poor performance on the field of play. You have without reason and prior permission from the Head Coach, the Team Manager or any other duly authorized Club Official absented yourself on numerous diverse days from training thereby denying the club the opportunity to field you as a striker,” explained the club.

Oliech is yet to feature for K’Ogalo since suffering an elbow injury in the penultimate stages of last season.