April fools: Nick Mwendwa picks Dennis Oliech as new Harambee Stars coach

Shockingly, there is a studious silence on the fate of Coach Engin Firat who just landed in the country three weeks ago, after signing a three-year contract with FKF.

Firat has been in charge and handled the team in their recent international friendly match against Iran in Tehran where the the Stars fell 2-1.

Oliech is highly regarded in Kenyan football circles, having been a lead striker for the national football outfit for over a decade, and is best membered for having guided the Stars to the 2004 Arica Cup of Nations Finals, his cracker goal, late, late in the game against Cape Verde at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani, in 2003, sparking off wild celebrations at the time.

Since retiring from international football, Oliech has kept a low profile, at one time he had a stint with Gor Mahia FC before bowing out.

Citizen Digital has also learnt that 'The Menace', as he is fondly known, who made a name while still in high school, at Kamukunji, and later with Mathare United, has been back to class, pursuing his coaching badges and is relishing the new task.

He is expected to be unveiled at a press conference on Tuesday at the FKF headquarters.

The move to tap Oliech is likely to divide opinion.

On Saturday, Mwendwa was guarded on the choice of Oliech, simply saying: "Wait for the formal announcement", which is expected to be on Tuesday at the FKF headquarters.

FKF has in the past paid a high price for arbitrarily releasing coaches and it remains unclear how it will turn out with Firat. Former coaches Adel Amrouche and Bobby Williamson were cumulatively paid over Ksh250 million for wrongful dismissal and it remains to be seen how the federation will handle Firat's case.

Meanwhile Oliech is expected to build his technical bench with homegrown talent. He has in the past rooted for homegrown solutions, and his former team mates such as Musa Otieno, a legend in his own right, Citizen Digital understands, will have a role to play.

The decision to go for Oliech, a source at the Federation told Citizen Digital, stems from the desire by Mwendwa to have Stars adopt offensive play, and Oliech, known for his offensive instincts, is seen as the best bet.

The details of his contract remain scanty but by Friday night, both camps had ironed out major issues, the ex-international expected to pocket north of Sh800,000 in monthly salary.

Keep it here for details.