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Kenya national football team

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This article is about the men's team. For the women's team, see Kenya women's national football team.

Kenya
NicknameHarambee Stars
AssociationFootball Kenya Federation (FKF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (Central & East Africa)
Head coachBenni McCarthy
CaptainMichael Olunga
Most capsMusa Otieno (90)
Top scorerWilliam Ouma (35)
Home stadiumMoi International Sports Centre
FIFA codeKEN
First colours
Second colours
Third colours
FIFA ranking
Current 113 Steady (22 December 2025)[1]
Highest68 (December 2008)
Lowest137 (July 2007)
First international
 Kenya 1–1 Uganda 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 1 May 1926)
Biggest win
 Kenya 10–0 Zanzibar 
(Nairobi, Kenya; 4 October 1961)
Biggest defeat
 Uganda 13–1 Kenya 
(Uganda; 14 December, 1932)[2]
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances7 (first in 1972)
Best resultGroup stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2019)
African Nations Championship
Appearances1 (first in 2024)
Best resultQuarter-finals (2024)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2013)
Best resultGroup stage (2013, 2024)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances37 (first in 1973)
Best resultChampions (1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017)

The Kenya national football team (Swahili: Timu ya Taifa ya Kandanda ya Kenya), colloquially known as the Harambee Stars, represents Kenya in association football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body of football in Kenya, and competes as a member of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). The team plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.

Name

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The team's colloquial name, the Harambee Stars,[4][5] derives from Harambee, a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events such as fundraising and development activities. The word means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is the official motto of Kenya, appearing on its coat of arms.[6][7]

History

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FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for three months in 2004, due to the interference of the government in football activities. The ban was reversed after the country agreed to create new statutes.[8]

On 25 October 2006, Kenya was again suspended from international football, for failing to fulfil a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complied with the agreements previously reached.[8][9]

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time, Sébastien Migné, was appointed in May 2018,[10] and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.[11]He left in August 2019[12]

In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a 3-year partnership with kits manufacturer Mafro Sports to provide the kits for all national teams, as well as junior categories. The national team would use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.[13][14]

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.[15]

On 14 January 2023, Football Kenya Federation stated that it had suspended 14 players, including six players from Zoo Kericho FC and two coaches for match-fixing allegations.[16][17]

Results and fixtures

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The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, as well as any future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win   Draw   Loss   Fixture

2025

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20 March 2026 World Cup qualification Gambia  3–3  Kenya Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC+0
  • Barrow 55', 84'
  • Minteh 61'
 Report (FIFA)
Report (CAF)
Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium
Referee: Abdou Abdel Mefire (Cameroon)
23 March 2026 World Cup qualification Kenya  1–2  Gabon Nairobi, Kenya
16:00 UTC+3
Report (FIFA)
Report (CAF)
Stadium: Nyayo National Stadium
5 September 2026 World Cup qualification Kenya  1–3  Gambia Nairobi, Kenya
Ogam 82' Sinyan 12' Minteh 26' Barrow 38' Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre
9 September 2026 World Cup qualification Kenya  5–0  Seychelles Nairobi, Kenya
 Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre
9 October 2026 World Cup qualification Burundi  0–1  Kenya Bujumbura, Burundi
Ogam 72' Stadium: Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium
14 October 2026 World Cup qualification Ivory Coast  3–0  Kenya Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire
Kessié 8' Diomande 54' Amad 84' Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium
14 November Friendly Kenya  0–1  Equatorial Guinea Antalya, Turkey
18:00 UTC+3 Report Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex
Referee: Kadir Saglam (Turkey)
18 November Friendly Senegal  8–0  Kenya Antalya, Türkiye
18:00 UTC+3
Report Stadium: Antalya Stadium
Referee: Atilla Karaoglan (Türkiye)

Coaches

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Eckhard Krautzun became the manager of the national football team of Kenya in 1971

Ray Batchelor was appointed the first national team coach in 1961. However, there was dissent regarding his managerial skills, and a revolt among players during a CECAFA Cup game in Zanzibar[18] led to him being forced out. In 1963, not long after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties;[19] however, he disappeared just hours before a Jamhuri Day friendly against reigning champions Ghana in 1965. His absence was never explained, and Batchelor was called in as an emergency replacement. This match was the team's worst defeat, with a final score of 13–2 against Ghana. At the time, the Ghanaians were a very strong team with a dangerous striker in the form of Ben Acheampong. Two days later, after Batchelor had reorganised the team, the Kenyans and Ghanaians drew in a friendly match.[20]

Caretaker managers in italics.
Managers since 1961 include:[21][19]

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group F against Burundi and Ivory Coast on 9 and 14 October 2025.[22]

Caps and goals are correct as of 9 October 2025, after the match against Burundi.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1 1GK Farouk Shikalo (1996-10-12) 12 October 1996 (age 29) 3 0 Football Kenya Federation Bandari
18 1GK Brian Bwire (2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 25) 6 0 South African Football Association Polokwane City
23 1GK Bryne Odhiambo (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 25) 17 0 Football Kenya Federation Gor Mahia
2 2DF Sylvester Owino (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 24) 12 0 Football Kenya Federation Gor Mahia
3 2DF Daniel Sakari (1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 26) 21 0 Football Kenya Federation Kenya Police
4 2DF Mike Kibwage (1997-10-01) 1 October 1997 (age 28) 11 0 Football Kenya Federation Gor Mahia
5 2DF Alphonce Omija (2002-10-09) 9 October 2002 (age 23) 7 0 Tunisian Football Federation ES Sahel
13 2DF Vincent Harper (2000-09-22) 22 September 2000 (age 25) 1 0 The Football Association Walsall
16 2DF Rooney Onyango (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 24) 23 1 Norwegian Football Federation Sogndal
19 2DF Collins Sichenje (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 22) 7 1 Football Association of Serbia Vojvodina
20 2DF Manzur Okwaro (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 20) 4 0 Football Kenya Federation KCB
2DF Aboud Omar (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 33) 56 0 Football Kenya Federation Kenya Police
8 3MF Duke Abuya (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 31) 26 2 Tanzania Football Federation Young Africans
10 3MF Austin Odhiambo (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 26) 12 3 Lebanese Football Association Nejmeh SC
17 3MF Ben Stanley Omondi (2004-04-24) 24 April 2004 (age 21) 3 0 Football Kenya Federation Gor Mahia
21 3MF Marvin Omondi (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 29) 6 0 Football Kenya Federation Kenya Police
22 3MF Timothy Ouma (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 21) 11 0 Polish Football Association Lech Poznań
3MF Alpha Onyango (2000-12-23) 23 December 2000 (age 25) 4 0 Football Kenya Federation Gor Mahia
6 4FW Adam Wilson (2000-04-10) 10 April 2000 (age 25) 3 0 Football Association of Wales The New Saints
7 4FW Boniface Muchiri (1996-08-26) 26 August 1996 (age 29) 12 0 Football Kenya Federation Ulinzi Stars
9 4FW Job Ochieng (2003-01-17) 17 January 2003 (age 22) 3 0 Royal Spanish Football Federation Real Sociedad
11 4FW William Wilson (2001-12-23) 23 December 2001 (age 24) 7 1 Football Association of Finland VPS
12 4FW Lawrence Ouma (2005-07-10) 10 July 2005 (age 20) 0 0 Football Association of Finland SJK
14 4FW Michael Olunga (1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 31) 68 34 Qatar Football Association Al-Arabi
15 4FW Ryan Ogam (2004-12-21) 21 December 2004 (age 21) 3 4 Austrian Football Association Wolfsberger AC

Recent call-ups

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The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.

Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club Latest call-up
GK Sebastian Wekesa (2003-11-28) 28 November 2003 (age 22) 0 0 Kenya F.C. Kariobangi Sharks v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
GK Ian Otieno (1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 32) 10 0 South Africa Richards Bay v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
DF Siraj Mohammed (1998-12-04) 4 December 1998 (age 27) 1 0 Kenya Bandari v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
DF Brian Onyango (1994-07-24) 24 July 1994 (age 31) 40 3 South Africa Stellenbosch v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
DF Swaleh Pamba (2003-06-29) 29 June 2003 (age 22) 1 0 Kenya Bandari v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
DF Levis Esambe (2002-12-01) 1 December 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Kenya AFC Leopards v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
DF Erick Otieno (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 29) 48 0 Poland Raków Częstochowa v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
DF Johnstone Omurwa (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 27) 21 0 Saudi Arabia Abha v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
DF Daniel Anyembe (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 27) 11 0 Denmark Viborg v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
DF Ismael Athuman (1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 30) 11 0 Spain Mérida v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
MF Brian Musa Katibi (1996-09-20) 20 September 1996 (age 29) 2 0 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
MF Teddy Akumu (1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 33) 60 1 Lebanon Nejmeh SC v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
MF Richard Odada (2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 25) 21 1 Serbia OFK Beograd v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
MF Amos Nondi (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 26) 16 1 Armenia Ararat-Armenia v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
FW Moses Shumah (2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 (age 23) 3 1 Kenya Kakamega Homeboyz v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
FW David Sakwa (2004-02-04) 4 February 2004 (age 21) 1 1 Kenya Bandari v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
FW Nyamawi Beja (2002-06-06) 6 June 2002 (age 23) 1 0 Kenya Assad v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
FW James Kinyanjui (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 27) 0 0 Kenya KCB v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
FW Emmanuel Osoro (2005-04-02) 2 April 2005 (age 20) 1 1 Kenya F.C. Talanta v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
FW Mohammed Bajaber (2003-03-15) 15 March 2003 (age 22) 2 1 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Chad, 10 June 2025
FW Eric Johanna Omondi (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 31) 36 4 Romania UTA Arad v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
FW Masoud Juma (1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 29) 22 8 Lebanon Nejmeh SC v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
FW John Avire (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 28) 12 2 Egypt El Sekka El Hadid v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
FW Jonah Ayunga (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 28) 5 1 Scotland St Mirren v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025
FW Elvis Rupia (1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 30) 4 1 Tanzania Ihefu v.  Gabon, 23 March 2025

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary/Standby squad
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue

Records

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As of 9 October 2025[23]
Players in bold are still active with Kenya.

Most appearances

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Rank Player Caps Goals Career
1 Musa Otieno 90 9 1993–2009
2 Jonathan Niva 88 10 1965–1976
3 Allan Thigo 81 11 1969–1978
4 John Nyawanga 80 17 1965–1976
5 Dennis Oliech 76 34 2002–2015
6 Robert Mambo Mumba 72 13 2000–2009
7 Titus Mulama 71 8 2001–2012
8 Francis Onyiso 70 0 1996–2011
9 Wilberforce Mulamba 68 14 1978–1988
James Siang'a 68 0 1963–1975
Michael Olunga 68 34 2015–present

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 William Ouma 35 66 0.53 1965–1977
2 Michael Olunga 34 68 0.5 2015–present
Dennis Oliech 34 76 0.45 2002–2015
4 Elijah Lidonde 33 26 1.27 1950–1961
5 Ali Kajo 26 32 0.81 1959–1969
Livingstone Madegwa 26 49 0.53 1964–1972
7 Joe Kadenge 25 63 0.4 1957–1970
8 John Baraza 21 52 0.4 2002–2011
9 Daniel Nicodemus 17 34 0.5 1963–1972
Mike Origi 17 48 0.35 1990–2004
John Nyawanga 17 80 0.21 1965–1976

Competition records

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FIFA World Cup

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FIFA World Cup record Qualification record
Year Round Position Pld W D L GF GA Pld W D L GF GA
1930 to 1958 Part of  United Kingdom Part of  United Kingdom
1962 to 1970 Did not enter Declined participation
West Germany 1974 Did not qualify 6 2 2 2 9 8
Argentina 1978 2 0 1 1 0 1
Spain 1982 2 1 0 1 3 6
Mexico 1986 4 1 1 2 6 10
Italy 1990 6 1 3 2 2 4
United States 1994 2 1 0 1 2 4
France 1998 8 4 1 3 14 14
South Korea Japan 2002 2 0 1 1 0 2
Germany 2006 12 4 2 6 11 17
South Africa 2010 12 4 1 7 13 16
Brazil 2014 8 3 3 2 11 5
Russia 2018 4 2 1 1 6 4
Qatar 2022 6 1 3 2 4 9
Canada Mexico United States 2026 10 3 3 4 18 14
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/16 84 27 22 35 99 115

African Nations Championship

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African Nations Championship record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Ivory Coast 2009 Did not qualify
Sudan 2011
South Africa 2014
Rwanda 2016
Morocco 2018
Cameroon 2020
Algeria 2022
KenyaTanzaniaUganda 2024 Qualified as co-hosts
Total TBD 1/8 0 0 0 0 0 0

Africa Cup of Nations

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Main article: Kenya at the Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations record
Year Round Position Pld W D* L GF GA
Sudan 1957 to United Arab Republic 1959 Not affiliated to CAF
Ethiopia 1962 to Sudan 1970 Did not qualify
Cameroon 1972 Group stage 5th 3 0 2 1 3 4
Egypt 1974 to Libya 1982 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 1984 Did not enter
Egypt 1986 Did not qualify
Morocco 1988 Group stage 8th 3 0 1 2 0 6
Algeria 1990 8th 3 0 1 2 0 3
Senegal 1992 9th 2 0 0 2 1 5
Tunisia 1994 Did not qualify
South Africa 1996 Withdrew
Burkina Faso 1998 to Mali 2002 Did not qualify
Tunisia 2004 Group stage 11th 3 1 0 2 4 6
Egypt 2006 to Gabon 2017 Did not qualify
Egypt 2019 Group stage 17th 3 1 0 2 3 7
Cameroon 2021 Did not qualify
Ivory Coast 2023 Disqualified due to FIFA suspension
Morocco 2025 Did not qualify
KenyaTanzaniaUganda 2027 Qualified as co-hosts
2029 To be determined
Total Group stage 7/36 17 2 4 11 11 31

African Games

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Year Round Pld W D L GF GA
Kenya 1987 2nd 5 2 2 1 7 6

Honours

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Continental

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Regional

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Friendly

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Notes
  1. Competition organized by ANOCA, officially not recognized by FIFA.

References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 22 December 2025. Retrieved 22 December 2025.
  2. ^ Courtney, Barrie. "Kenya International matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
  3. ^ Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 10 January 2026. Retrieved 10 January 2026.
  4. ^ "The Harambee Stars (official)". Facebook.
  5. ^ "Harambee Stars Archives". Football Kenya Federation. 20 November 2019. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  6. ^ Musau, Mwende Mutuli (5 October 2020). "Harambee: The law of generosity that rules Kenya". BBC News.
  7. ^ Ng'ethe, Njuguna (1983). "Politics, Ideology and the Underprivileged: The Origins and Nature of the Harambee Phenomenon in Kenya". Journal of Eastern African Research & Development. 13: 150–170. JSTOR 24325584.
  8. ^ a b "FIFA suspends Kenya". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation sport. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
  9. ^ Wandera, Gilbert (25 October 2006). "FIFA Suspends Kenya Indefinitely". Nairobi: AllAfrica.com – The East African Standard. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
  10. ^ Chweya, Edward (20 February 2016). "New FKF president Nick Mwendwa sacks Harambee Stars coach Bobby Williamson". Tuko. Archived from the original on 3 April 2019. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  11. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola World Ranking – Associations – Kenya – Men's". FIFA. Archived from the original on 19 February 2015. Retrieved 24 July 2016.
  12. ^ "Kenya and Sebastien Migne end contract by mutual consent". BBC Sport. 12 August 2019. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
  13. ^ "FKF unveils new kits in Ksh. 75M deal with Mafro Sports" (video). NTV Kenya. 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 15 June 2017 – via YouTube.
  14. ^ "Kenya 2017–18 Mafro Sports Kits". Todo Sobre Camisetas (in Spanish). 22 May 2017. Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 15 June 2017.
  15. ^ "2019 Africa Cup of Nations: Kenya secure shock win over Ghana in qualifiers". BBC Sport. 8 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 September 2018. Retrieved 8 September 2018.
  16. ^ "Kenya suspends 16 footballers, coaches over fixing allegations". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  17. ^ "Provisional Suspension of Individuals Involved in Match Fixing". Football Kenya Federation. 13 January 2023. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  18. ^ Mballa, Tony (22 October 2020). "When will Kenya get it right in coaches' revolving door". The Star. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  19. ^ a b "Profiles of Kenya Harambee stars coaches". Kenya Football Page. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Remembering the football debacle of 1965 when Ghana thumped Kenya". Nation. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Kenya National Team Coaches". rsssf.org. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  22. ^ "Coach McCarthy Names Final Squad for Final World Cup Qualifiers". Football Kenya Federation. 26 September 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
  23. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Kenya - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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