The Kenya national football team, 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
The team's colloquial name, the Harambee Stars, 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.
History
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.
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.
Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time, Sébastien Migné, was appointed in May 2018, and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.
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.
On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.
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.
Results and fixtures
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
2024
2025
Coaches
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 led to him being forced out. In 1963, not long after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties; 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.
Managers since 1961 include (caretaker managers in italics):
Players
Current squad
The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group F matches against Gambia and Gabon on 20 and 23 March 2025.
Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Namibia.
Recent call-ups
The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.
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Records
- As of 14 October 2024
- Players in bold are still active with Kenya.
Most appearances
Top goalscorers
Competition records
FIFA World Cup
African Nations Championship
Africa Cup of Nations
African Games
Honours
Continental
- African Games1
- Silver medal (1) : 1987
Regional
- CECAFA Cup
- Winners (7): 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017
- Runners-up (7): 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012
- Runners-up (6): 1978, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2003
- Competition organized by the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa, officially not recognized by FIFA.
References
External links
- Kenya at CAF
- Kenya at FIFA
- Kenyan Football Portal (archived 2014)
