The Kenya national football team, also known as the Harambee Stars represents Kenya in association football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation, the governing body 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). It is colloquially known as Harambee Stars and plays its home games primarily at the Nyayo National Stadium in the capital, Nairobi.
The Kenya national football team is known as The Harambee Stars.[4][5] Harambee is a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events, e.g. fundraising or 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]
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 fulfill a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complies 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 will 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]
Ray Batchelor was appointed the first national team coach in 1961. However dissension regarding his managerial skills, and there was a revolt among players during a CECAFA Cup game in Zanzibar[17] and he was forced out. In 1963, not longer 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]
Ray Batchelor (1961)
Peter Oronge (1963) Ray Batchelor (1965) Jack Gibbons (1966) Elijah Lidonde (1967)
Eckhard Krautzun (1971) Jonathan Niva (1972) Ray Wood (1975).svg/1280px-Flag_of_Poland_(1928%E2%80%931980).svg.png){kind=small}
Grzegorz Polakow (1979) Stephen Yongo (1979) Marshall Mulwa (1980–83) Bernhard Zgoll (1984) Reinhard Fabisch (1987, 1997, 2001–02) Christopher Makokha (1988)
Mohammed Kheri (1988–90, 1995, 2005)
Gerry Saurer (1992).svg/1280px-Flag_of_Yugoslavia_(1946-1992).svg.png){kind=small}
Vojo Gardašević (1996) Abdul Majid (1998)
Christian Chukwu (1998) James Siang'a (1999–00) Joe Kadenge (2002) Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2003–04, 2007–08, 2010, 2020–2021) Twahir Muhiddin (2004–05, 2009–10)
Bernard Lama (2006) Tom Olaba (2006) Jacob "Ghost" Mulee (2007–08) Francis Kimanzi (2008–09, 2011–12) Antoine Hey (2009) Zedekiah Otieno (2010–11) Henri Michel (2012) James Nandwa (2012–13)
Adel Amrouche (2013–14)
Bobby Williamson (2014–16) Stanley Okumbi (2016–17, 2018).svg/1280px-Flag_of_Belgium_(civil).svg.png){kind=small}
Paul Put (2017–2018) Sébastien Migne (2018–2019) Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020) Ken Odhiambo (2021)
Engin Fırat (2021–present)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
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.
The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.
Winners (7) : 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017
Runners-up (7) : 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012
