The football fraternity is this evening mourning the death of Kevin Oliech in Germany earlier today.

The late Kevin is brother to Kenya’s record goalscorer Dennis Oliech and Andrew Oyombe.

Family spokesperson Nixon Oliech said Kevin succumbed to Cancer, a disease he battled for the last four years.

He was scheduled to travel to the United States of America for specialized cancer management.

Locally, he played for Securicor, Nairobi City Stars, Mathare United, Tusker, Thika United and Ushuru football clubs

Internationally, he played for German fifth-tier side KFC Uerdingen 05 and second-tier Alemannia Aachen, among other teams.

His death comes barely two years after that of his mother Mary Oliech who passed on in July 2018.

Late 2016, the late Kevin served Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg ugali and fish at mama Oliech restaurant.

The long-delayed Kenyan football elections will be held on October 17, it was announced here on Tuesday.

This follows the release of a roadmap sanctioned by world governing body FIFA to resolve a leadership crisis that has seen Football Kenya Federation (FKF) elections halted twice in December 2019 and in March this year.

“Owing to the current COVID-19 situation, both the national and branch elections will be conducted in line with the existing state-sanctioned health regulations and protocols in force within the country,” FKF Electoral Board chair, Kentice Tikolo told journalists in Nairobi.

Tikolo disclosed that the national elections will be preceded by grassroots polls held across the 47 counties on September 19 and that voter registration shall remain the same ‘since no football activity has taken place since the last election due to the coronavirus pandemic.’

In addition, candidates who had submitted their papers for the February 2 election that was stopped by the local tribunal over claims of irregularities at national and branch level will not be required to re-submit their papers or pay nomination fees again.

Other aspirants wishing to join the race are free to submit their papers and pay the nomination fees as provided for under the FKF Electoral Code.

Rose Wasike, the registrar of Societies, poured cold water on claims from five aspirants seeking to unseat incumbent FKF president, Nick Mwendwa, who accused her of releasing the roadmap without consulting stakeholders.

“Football is a members club and FIFA is aware of this exercise. I have not received any letter from a member asking me not to proceed to hold elections,” she explained.

FKF president Nick Mwedwa, who is seeking a second term at the helm of the troubled body, has been accused by his opponents of skewing the electoral process in his favour and seeking to remain in charge through acclamation.

Among those seeking to topple him from the top seat include his predecessor and first president of the rebooted federation, Sam Nyamweya, former regional CECAFA football boss Nicholas Musonye, and retired international Sam Shollei, a former FKF vice-president.

Others include seasoned broadcaster Herbert Mwachiro and journalist Boniface Osano.

Godson Chigema’s dream of becoming one of the international footballers from Kenya might just come true after he commenced the process of application to join Premier Football UK trials in Manchester.

The trials as per the organizers are held in the State of Manchester where scouts from major international clubs come and watch as the players go about their activities in the field.

Those who are selected are then taken through some training before they are absorbed into the various clubs.

Godson Chigema at their home in Sports club Estate in Kivumbini Ward,Nakuru.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.

Born in 2002 and raised from a humble background in Kivumbini Ward, Nakuru East sub county of Nakuru, Godson has had interest in matters football since his childhood.

The 19 year old says he developed interest in matters football while at St.Teresa’s Primary school in Kivumbini.

During this time he used to participate in inter-schools- a move that saw his talent recognized and even shaped further while in Secondary where he was included in the first squad as goalkeeper as well as defender.

“I used to participate in inter-schools and that is where my talent started developing” he says.

After completing his Fourth Form in 2019, Godson has been fully involved in matters football with Deliverance Church FC as well as Freehold FC in Nakuru.

However his dream to even nurture his talent further has seen him apply online for the Premier Football UK trials after his friend hinted to him about the same.

“At first I was hesitating but I just gave it a trial and applied giving a description about myself and after 5 days I was given a respond congratulating me but also giving me the requirements” he said.

However, the humble Godson whom this writer met with at their home in Sports Club Estate in Kivumbini Ward, is now appealing to well-wishers to step in and ensure that he pays the close to Ksh.1 million to meet all the requirements.

Godson with his parents at their home in Sports club Estate in Kivumbini Ward,Nakuru County.PHOTO/Pristone Mambili.

He is optimistic that this is an opportunity that will transform his life once he goes through the trials at Manchester.

Godson, a Chelsea fan, believes football talents in Kenyan are yet to be tapped due to what he terms as corruption.

He says once he succeeds, his ambition is to have an academy in Nakuru, Kenya so that he can also help nurture talents and help youths shun drugs.

“My dream is to see talents nurtured at grass root and that is why I have ambition to also set up a football academy” he says.

Godson’s parents Donald and Linet Chigema are grateful for their son.

Their appeal is to the well-wishers to step in through contribution number and ensure their son attends the trials in Manchester State in UK.

“We have seen his talent and we hope the society will step in to ensure he nurtures it through the training in Manchester” they said.

Similar sentiments echoed by Francis Shinali from Residents’ Association who says Godson is a reflection youths have talents that are yet to be tapped into.

He challenges the society to ensure such talents are not wasted but nurtured to be role models to other youths in society.

“We have a responsibility and that is why we are appealing to Residents of Kivumbini Ward, Nakuru County and nationally through various sports associations to step in so that the Ksh.1 Million can be met” said Shinali.

Those who want to channel their contribution can do so through 0713826285.