Harambee Stars face permit and payment crises

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy have addressed ongoing administrative and financial crises facing the Kenyan national football team ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers.

McCarthy revealed that he and his foreign technical staff have been operating without valid work permits for approximately 18 months. This legal issue has forced the coaching staff to leave Kenya immediately following international windows to avoid being questioned by authorities, preventing McCarthy from scouting local talent or attending domestic league matches. Additionally, McCarthy reported that some players have gone through up to five consecutive international camps without receiving promised allowances, a situation that has reportedly triggered a squad boycott.

In response, the FKF acknowledged the financial concerns and stated they are working with the Ministry of Sports to resolve outstanding dues. The federation confirmed that the Ministry has cleared one outstanding payment related to a previous assignment, with more payments currently in various stages of processing. The FKF expressed optimism regarding their continued cooperation with state authorities to address these administrative and financial matters.