Oliech has disclosed his strategy to address the persistent issue of unpaid wages among local players in Kenya if he is elected as the President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Denis Oliech, a former striker for the Harambee Stars, has outlined his plan to tackle the wage problems facing Kenyan footballers if he becomes the head of the Football Kenya Federation.
Oliech is considering entering the race for the presidency, either by running himself or by partnering with Hussein Mohammed and his former teammate McDonald Mariga.
The problem of players striking due to delayed or insufficient wages has led to instances of match-fixing in the past.
Oliech has now shared his approach to resolving this issue if he were to be elected in the future. Speaking to Radio Jambo, Oliech mentioned, “I’ve heard people say that being good in football doesn’t mean you’ll be good in management. Football isn’t just about the books; it’s about ensuring players are well-treated, fed, and rested.”
He advocates for the payment of footballers through bank accounts to ensure accountability and easy tracking in case of disputes over non-payment.
Oliech also criticized Sofapaka for not paying their players for extended periods, leading to strikes, which he views as a disgrace to Kenyan football. “I’ve learned that Sofapaka hasn’t paid some players for up to 12 months! This could lead to match-fixing, as players might be tempted to accept bribes if they’re not being paid,” he explained.
He proposes a standardized wage structure to ensure players are fairly compensated. “We need to make sure players are paid on time and establish a salary cap. A player aged 17 or 18 should not earn less than 50,000 shillings, while others could earn between 300,000 and 400,000 shillings. Currently, our highest-paid player only makes 200,000 shillings,” Oliech elaborated on his plan to improve the financial conditions for footballers in Kenya.
