Kidero: Oliech doesn’t deserve pay

BY GILBERT WANDERA

Harambee Stars Management Board chairman, Evans Kidero, insists striker Dennis Oliech should not be paid over the use of his images to promote the team.

Kidero said: "The contract we signed with East African Breweries Limited (EABL) gives them full authority to use the team’s images. This is the practice worldwide and players must show patriotism and love for the country."

Kidero’s statement came even as Oliech upped his threat to dump Harambee Stars with a one-week ultimatum to football authorities to resolve his compensation claims over the use of his image by the team’s sponsors.

Oliech, speaking from France, said he wants the issue resolved by next Friday or he would carry out his threat to quit the national team.

"This issue cannot go on forever. If I do not have any way forward by Friday, then I will formally write my resignation letter the same day," he said.

A meeting to resolve the issue was postponed to next Wednesday as some of the parties to the dispute were unavailable at the time.

The Kenyan captain is demanding millions of shillings in compensation for the unauthorized use of his image to promote the team.

"Since I was not consulted, I strongly believe that they should compensate me for singling me out in the promotion material for the team," he said.

The striker believes he has a strong case though opinion is divided on the matter. Last week, Nairobi lawyer Peter Ogonji said Oliech does not have a case since the Harambee Stars Management Board sold all rights to East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL) when they agreed to a Sh110million three year sponsorship deal.

Ogonji further said the fact that Oliech does not have a contract with Football Kenya Federation makes his claim untenable.

Part of the deal signed between SSMB and EABL includes use of images of the team in promotional materials.. Clause 9 of the agreement states that the sponsor shall have the right "to use the images of members of the Harambee Stars team for promotional and advertising activities".

However, a local football promoter Francis Gaitho says Oliech ought to be paid for the use of his image.

"I have been following the matter keenly and after consulting several international football lawyers, we believe the player has a genuine case but must go about it in the right way," said Gaitho who has been organizing various international matches for the national team Harambee Stars.

Oliech first issued his threat to quit the team two weeks ago by saying he will not participate in any event organised by Tusker including the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers – until he gets an apology and payment for his picture that was used in a billboard promoting the national team.

The disagreement over the image has been on-going since last year when Tusker used – in paid-up adverts – a photograph of Oliech, McDonald Mariga and Bob Mugalia celebrating after Stars scored their winning goal against Angola in a 2012 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium.

Oliech has been leading the disagreement as Mariga and Mugalia have not come out openly over the matter.