FKF now seeks FIFA's help on Oliech saga

The saga surrounding the resignation of Harambee Stars captain, Dennis Oliech has a taken a new twist with, Football Kenya Federation (FKF), turning to world football governing body, FIFA, for help.

The federation’s executive committee met on Tuesday in Nairobi and agreed to seek Fifa’s guidance on the matter.

The top-rated striker, who turns out for French Ligue 1 side AJ Auxerre, on Sunday threw Kenya football into a spin by announcing his retirement from national team after a long-drawn feud with FKF, over the use of his image in an East African Breweries Limited (EABL) billboard,though he did not mention this as the real reason behind his walk out.

While announcing his resignation through social media, Oliech cited failure to achieve personal and collective goals. MacDonald Mariga, of Italian Serie A side Parma, and Congolese-born Kenyan international striker Bob Mugalia, who turns out for Sofapaka are the other players in the middle of the latest controversy that has hit Kenyan football.

FKF, chairman, Sam Nyamweya, has struck a middle ground in the issue saying the federation represents the interests both parties, hence the need to seek Fifa’s guidance.

“The federation has chosen to put the matter before Fifa’s legal team for scrutiny and advice on the way forward”, Nyamweya said. “Before a decision on this matter is arrived at, it is imperative that we consult Fifa”, he added.

On Monday, Nyamweya absolved the federation from blame saying the Harambee Stars Management Board (HSMB) negotiated the deal long before he assumed office.

Oliech becomes the second senior player to quit the team in the last four months following the departure of first choice goalkeeper, Arnold Origi, in January as Kenya prepared to face Togo in a 2013 Nations Cup qualifying match.

The team received another blow just days to the encounter when Mariga pulled out following a disagreement with FKF over air tickets refund. With the exit of Origi, Mariga and Oliech, Kenyan football has undoubtedly been left all the more poorer.

Nesta Kizito

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