Kenya has seen many of its athletic talents being lured by offers from wealthier countries, particularly in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States. These athletes often switch nationalities for financial incentives, with some renouncing their Kenyan citizenship for a chance at a better life. Notable examples include Stephen Cherono (now Saif Saaeed Shaheen), Ruth Jebet, and Winfred Yavi, who all opted for Gulf nations, attracted by the millions offered. However, there are a few Kenyan sports stars who chose to remain loyal to their homeland, rejecting lucrative offers to switch allegiances.
One of the most well-known athletes to turn down such an offer was Dennis Oliech, the former Harambee Stars captain. In 2004, at just 19 years old, Oliech was offered between Ksh 100 million and Ksh 150 million by Qatar to change his nationality. At the time, he was playing for Al-Arabi and was considered one of the world’s most promising young footballers. Despite the substantial financial offer, Oliech chose to remain Kenyan. Although he had been given a new name and passport by the Qatari authorities, he later admitted in interviews that he now regrets not accepting the offer. Oliech went on to play in France for Nantes, Auxerre, and Ajaccio, before finishing his career at Gor Mahia.
Ezekiel Kemboi, a legend in the 3,000m steeplechase, is another athlete who rejected an offer to switch nationalities. In the early 2000s, when his career was beginning to take off, Kemboi was approached by Qatar. However, he refused to be swayed by the money, stating that he would never change his nationality for financial gain. His decision proved to be one that benefited Kenya, as he went on to win four world titles and two Olympic gold medals, cementing his place in the country’s athletic history.
Moses Tanui, a long-distance running icon, also turned down an opportunity to represent another country. In the 1990s, Italy approached Tanui after he set a world record in the half marathon, running under one hour in Milan. Despite the attractive offer, Tanui declined, explaining that patriotism was of greater importance to him than the rewards offered by foreign countries. Tanui, a two-time Boston Marathon champion, believed that running for Kenya was a matter of pride, and his decision to stay loyal to his country paid off as he continued to achieve success on the global stage.
Janeth Jepkosgei, the first Kenyan woman to win a world title in the 800m, had her own experience with the temptation to switch nationalities. In 2005, after facing frustrations over not being selected for the Kenyan team despite winning at trials, Jepkosgei was approached by representatives from Bahrain and Qatar. She had all the paperwork and financial incentives in place to switch, but after a meeting with the late Isaiah Kiplagat, then president of Athletics Kenya, she was convinced to stay and pursue her dreams with Team Kenya. Her decision was a turning point in her career, leading to her gold medal at the 2006 Commonwealth Games and her historic World Championship gold in 2007 in Osaka, Japan.
These athletes represent a group of Kenyan sports stars who, despite the temptation of wealth, chose to remain loyal to their country, and in doing so, contributed significantly to Kenya’s rich athletic legacy. Their stories are a testament to the importance of patriotism and pride in one’s nationality, even in the face of lucrative offers from other countries.
