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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
Nickname(s)Harambee Stars
AssociationFootball Kenya Federation (FKF)
ConfederationCAF (Africa)
Sub-confederationCECAFA (Central & East Africa)
Head coachEngin Fırat
CaptainMichael Olunga
Most capsMusa Otieno (90)
Top scorerWilliam Ouma (35)
Home stadiumMoi International Sports Centre
FIFA codeKEN
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 108 Decrease 2 (28 November 2024)[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; 1932)[2]
Africa Cup of Nations
Appearances7 (first in 1972)
Best resultGroup stage (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2019)
Four Nations Football Tournament
Appearances1 (first in 2024)
Best resultChampions (2024)
COSAFA Cup
Appearances2 (first in 2013)
Best resultGroup stage (2013, 2024)
CECAFA Cup
Appearances80 (first in 1926)
Best resultChampions (1926, 1931, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1971, 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017)

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

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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]

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.[12][13]

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.[14]

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.[15][16]

Results and fixtures

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Main article: Kenya national football team results

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

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23 March Friendly Malawi  0–4  Kenya Lilongwe, Malawi
Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
26 March Friendly Zimbabwe  1–3  Kenya Lilongwe, Malawi
Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
7 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Kenya  1–1  Burundi Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2
  • Abuya 72'
 Report
Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Referee: Jean Ouattara (Burkina Faso)
11 June 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification Kenya  0–0  Ivory Coast Lilongwe, Malawi
15:00 UTC+2 Report Stadium: Bingu National Stadium
Attendance: 6,000
Referee: Jalal Jayed (Morocco)
27 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Zambia  0–2  Kenya Gqeberha, South Africa
Report
Stadium: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
30 June 2024 COSAFA Cup Kenya  0–2  Comoros Gqeberha, South Africa
Report
Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium
2 July 2024 COSAFA Cup Kenya  2–0  Zimbabwe Gqeberha, South Africa
12:00
Report Stadium: Isaac Wolfson Stadium


Coaches

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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[17] led to him being forced out. In 1963, not long after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties;[18] 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.[19]

Managers since 1961 include (caretaker managers in italics):[20][18]

Players

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Current squad

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The following players were selected for the 2024 COSAFA Cup.[21]

Caps and goals are correct as of 30 June 2024, after the match against Comoros.

No. Pos. Player Date of birth (age) Caps Goals Club
1GK Bryne Odhiambo (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) 7 0 Kenya Bandari
1GK Dolph Junior (2003-12-08) 8 December 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Kenya Gor Mahia
1GK Ibrahim Wanzala (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Kenya Kakamega Homeboyz
2DF Alphonce Omija (2002-10-09) 9 October 2002 (age 22) 3 0 Oman Dhofar Club
2DF Sylvester Owino (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 23) 2 0 Kenya Gor Mahia
2DF Amos Wanjala 2 0 Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona
2DF Paul Ochuoga (2004-09-13) 13 September 2004 (age 20) 1 0 Kenya Gor Mahia
2DF Geoffrey Onyango 1 0 Kenya Kariobangi Sharks
3MF Rooney Onyango (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 23) 9 1 Kenya Gor Mahia
3MF Chris Erambo (2004-12-10) 10 December 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Kenya Tusker
3MF Austin Odhiambo (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 24) 3 1 Kenya Gor Mahia
3MF John Ochieng (2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 20) 2 0 Zambia Zanaco
3MF Kayci Odhiambo (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 21) 2 0 Kenya AFC Leopards
3MF Patrick Otieno (2000-12-24) 24 December 2000 (age 23) 2 1 Kenya Posta Rangers
3MF Aldrine Kibet (2006-06-13) 13 June 2006 (age 18) 1 0 Spain Gimnàstic de Tarragona
3MF Stanley Wilson 1 0 Kenya Kariobangi Sharks
3MF William Gitamu 0 0 Kenya Bandari
3MF Elly Owande 0 0 Kenya Migori Youth
4FW Benson Omala (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 (age 23) 5 1 Lebanon Safa
4FW Alfred Tanui (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 21) 1 0 Kenya Talanta
4FW Hassan Beja (2005-08-26) 26 August 2005 (age 19) 0 0 Kenya AFC Leopards
4FW Jeremy Bissau 0 0 England Brooke House College
4FW Moses Shummah (2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 (age 22) 0 0 Kenya Kakamega Homeboyz

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 Brian Bwire (2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 24) 2 0 Kenya Tusker 2024 COSAFA CupPRE
GK Patrick Matasi (1987-12-11) 11 December 1987 (age 37) 37 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
GK Ian Otieno (1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 31) 7 0 Zambia ZESCO United v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
GK Joseph Ochuka (1993-12-23) 23 December 1993 (age 30) 0 0 Kenya Bandari v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF Johnstone Omurwa (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 26) 19 0 Portugal Estrela da Amadora v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Aboud Omar (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32) 48 0 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Erick Otieno (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 28) 42 0 Poland Raków Częstochowa v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Joseph Okumu (1997-05-26) 26 May 1997 (age 27) 23 1 France Reims v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Collins Sichenje (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 21) 4 0 Serbia Vojvodina v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Daniel Anyembe (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) 8 0 Denmark Viborg v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
DF Amos Nondi (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 25) 12 1 Armenia Ararat-Armenia v.  Zimbabwe; 26 March 2024
DF Daniel Sakari (1999-01-25) 25 January 1999 (age 25) 16 0 Kenya Tusker v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF Dennis Ng'ang'a (1993-09-03) 3 September 1993 (age 31) 2 0 Zambia Zanaco v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF Nabilai Kibunguchy (1998-01-05) 5 January 1998 (age 26) 1 0 United States Orlando City B v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF Haniff Wesonga (2003-01-01) 1 January 2003 (age 21) 0 0 Kenya Kenya Commercial Bank v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
DF David Ochieng (1992-10-07) 7 October 1992 (age 32) 40 2 Kenya Mathare United v.  South Sudan; 12 September 2023
MF Teddy Akumu (1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 32) 60 1 Japan Sagan Tosu v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Eric Johanna Omondi (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 30) 37 4 Romania UTA Arad v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Kenneth Muguna (1996-01-06) 6 January 1996 (age 28) 35 2 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Duke Abuya (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 30) 15 1 Kenya Kenya Police v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Richard Odada (2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 24) 17 1 Scotland Dundee United v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Timothy Ouma (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 20) 6 0 Sweden IF Elfsborg v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
MF Ayub Masika (1992-09-10) 10 September 1992 (age 32) 32 5 Azerbaijan Sabail v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF Duncan Otieno (1994-05-26) 26 May 1994 (age 30) 13 1 Zambia Lusaka Dynamos v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF Alfred Scriven (1998-01-26) 26 January 1998 (age 26) 2 0 Norway Hødd v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
MF Alpha Chris Onyango (2000-12-23) 23 December 2000 (age 23) 0 0 Kenya Gor Mahia v.  Russia; 16 October 2023
FW Michael Olunga (captain) (1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 30) 60 29 Qatar Al-Duhail v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
FW John Avire (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 27) 6 1 Egypt Porto Suez v.  Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024
FW Masoud Juma (1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 28) 22 8 Saudi Arabia Al-Jabalain v.  Seychelles; 20 November 2023
FW Clifton Miheso (1993-02-05) 5 February 1993 (age 31) 46 7 Kenya Gor Mahia v.  Russia; 16 October 2023
FW Hassan Abdallah (1996-07-06) 6 July 1996 (age 28) 19 6 Kenya Bandari v.  South Sudan; 12 September 2023
FW Elvis Rupia (1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 29) 4 1 Kenya Kenya Police v.  South Sudan; 12 September 2023

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 14 October 2024[22]
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

Top goalscorers

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Rank Player Goals Caps Ratio Career
1 William Ouma 35 66 0.53 1965–1977
2 Dennis Oliech 34 76 0.45 2002–2015
3 Elijah Lidonde 33 26 1.27 1950–1961
4 Michael Olunga 30 62 0.48 2015–present
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
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 13 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 To be determined 4 1 2 1 7 3
Morocco Portugal Spain 2030 To be determined
Saudi Arabia 2034
Total 0/16 77 25 20 32 86 102

African Nations Championship

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Africa Cup of Nations 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 To be determined
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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References

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  1. ^ "The FIFA/Coca-Cola Men's World Ranking". FIFA. 28 November 2024. Retrieved 28 November 2024.
  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. 12 December 2024. Retrieved 12 December 2024.
  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.co.ke – Kenya news. 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. ^ "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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "Kenya suspends 16 footballers, coaches over fixing allegations". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  16. ^ Communications, F. K. F. (13 January 2023). "Provisional Suspension of Individuals Involved in Match Fixing". Football Kenya Federation. Archived from the original on 15 January 2023. Retrieved 15 January 2023.
  17. ^ Mballa, Tony (22 October 2020). "When will Kenya get it right in coaches' revolving door". The Star. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Profiles of Kenya Harambee stars coaches". Kenya Football Page. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  19. ^ "Remembering the football debacle of 1965 when Ghana thumped Kenya". Nation. 21 December 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2024.
  20. ^ "Kenya National Team Coaches". rsssf.org. 30 April 2006. Retrieved 4 January 2024.
  21. ^ "Final Squad". Football Kenya.
  22. ^ Mamrud, Roberto. "Kenya - Record International Players". RSSSF. Archived from the original on 27 November 2022. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
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