In the sporting world, many athletes are approached by other countries to switch their allegiance at a fee.
In Kenya, a number of athletes have renounced their citizenship in search of greener pastures. Some of the moves are considered by the locals as betrayal.
However, for one of Kenya's most prolific footballers, Dennis Oliech, switching his citizenship was too high a price to pay.
Also Read: Swiss Billionaire Inches Closer to Acquiring Chelsea
The former Harambee Stars striker, Dennis Oliech, in 2004 received a hefty offer of Ksh890 million to change citizenship from Kenya to Qatar but declined it.
"I believe I have made the right decision. I love my country and would not take anything to change my identity," Oliech stated earlier.
It was also reported that the prolific striker was given only an hour to make a decision regarding the switch of citizenship.
Oliech, at that time he was 18 years old and one of the UK press had categorised him among big names in football, making it to the A-star list that included the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie.
Following that publicity, in 2005 Oliech penned down a four-year deal with French League 1 side Nantes for Ksh281 million.
The former Harambee Stars captain, however, in a past interview stated that he regretted not signing the deal to change his nationality over what he termed as failure by the government to support local talent.
“I would say I am 50-50 because right now if I am offered that amount, I will take it but it is too late. The way I know Arab countries, it was probably a wise decision then,” Oliech stated.
Oliech added that if the offer came from Europe, he would have taken in without any hesitation.
“There are people from Kenya working there and they are not having an easy time. If it was a European country, of course I would have changed my nationality,” he added.
The Kenyan international, however, was able to play for different clubs across Europe like Nantes, Ajaccio and Dubai CSC.
He scored 34 goals for the national team, with him becoming the country's second all-time top scorer after Ouma Chege with 36 goals. Oliech went on and hanged his boots on January 9, 2020.
Also Read: From The Track to The Boardroom: Lessons From Haile Gebrselassie