Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko on Wednesday night visited and condoled with the family of former Mathare United striker Kevin Oliech Opiyo who succumbed to cancer three weeks ago in Germany. 

Opiyo, the youngest of the Oliech brothers, had been battling the disease for years before finally losing the battle in mid-August at a Munich hospital.

Just like his sibling brothers among them the late Steve Okumu (Gor), former Harambee Stars captain Dennis (Al Arabi, Auxere, Nantes and Gor), Andrew Oyombe (Mathare United and Tusker), Kennedy Oliech (Gor) and Nixon Onywanda who all played football at a top level, Kevin Opiyo played for several clubs among them Securicor, Nairobi City Stars, Thika United, Mathare

United, Nakumatt and Tusker before moving to Germany for greener pastures.

Opiyo’s body arrived last night accompanied by his wife and siblings Oyombe and Ken and other close friends who are based in Germany and he is set to be laid to rest at their Seme home in Kisumu County tomorrow.

Sonko who appointed Denis Oliech and another local football legend Musa Otieno into Nairobi

Sports Board two years ago, gave the family some cash donations when he visited their family house, to help them foot the burial expenses. 

“I came to condole with the family of Kevin Opiyo who succumbed to cancer last month while undergoing treatment in Germany.

I have known Kevin for many years through his brother, Dennis Oliech who is a member of the Nairobi City County Sports Board and I wish the family strength as they mourn their loved one,” said Sonko as he donated Sh2 million to the family.

He added: “The late Kevin who played for Nairobi City Stars, Mathare United and other teams was a prolific footballer just like his brothers, Dennis Oliech, Andrew Oyombe and the late Steve Okumu. 

I will cater for other additional funeral expenses in order to ensure we give him a befitting send-off at their rural home in Seme, Kisumu County. May his soul rest in peace.”