Just a few days after it was reported in the media that one of Kenya's most prolific footballers of all time, Dennis "The Menace" Oliech, had allegedly fell from riches to rags, the ex Harambee Stars' skipper signed a mega deal.

The lucrative bargain with the international sport betting company, Betway, was said to be worth millions of shillings, thus, making the speedy striker (who always donned the No. 10 jersey for the Stars) bounce back to the millionaires' league.

During his reign in the national football team as a centre forward, Oliech was always a constant and real threat to the opposition defenders. One specific moment, in July of 2003, he rose to the occasion when his thunderbolt struck, against a stubborn Cape Verde outfit, thus booking a ticket for Kenya in the 2004 AFCON finals in Tunisia. He could never have been happier, and so was Kenya's football fraternity and fans of the beautiful game.

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In the footballing history of this nation, Dennis Oliech is a name which is revered. His prolific career in the international field and for Harambee Stars is a feat to be proud of. His  68 appearances and 34 goals, matches other greats including former skipper and the current assistant coach for Stars Musa Otieno, veterans Joe Kadenge, Mohammed Abbas, Mike Okoth (father to Belgian professional footballer and Liverpool's forward Divock Origi), Josephat Murila, Francis Onyiso and Peter Dawo among others.

Today, Oliech has, however, officially announced his retirement from international duties with Harambee Stars. I know his move may be viewed by many as one that's been long overdue, but Oliech has in deed retired with honour.

Between 2003 and 2015, Dennis Oliech played professional football for Al-Arabi, Nantes, Auxerre, Ajaccio and Dubai CSC. His first match for Stars was in 2002, when Kenya lost 3-0 to Nigeria's Super Eagles. Before that, he played for Dagoretti Santos then Mathare United.

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In 2005, Oliech made a controversial move when he refused to join the national team until the Kenya Football Federation agreed to pay him US$1,700 (about Sh170,000-current rates). His mother defended him, believing he has a right to demand for his money.