Harambee Stars Players Boycott Training Ahead of AFCON Qualifier

Harambee Stars players have resolved not to train ahead of Saturday’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium.

The players’ decision was linked to outstanding allowances and concerns over the conditions they have experienced while on national team duty.

FKF Head of Projects and National Teams Athanus Obango said the players were demanding Ksh80,000 each for the previous matches against Senegal and Lesotho.

The players have also raised concerns over their accommodation during national team assignments, claiming that they have been housed in substandard hotels during both home and away fixtures.

Flight arrangements have emerged as another point of contention, with the players saying they have often been booked on cheaper flights involving lengthy layovers despite the availability of more convenient options.

The players have consequently demanded that all outstanding allowances be settled before they resume training ahead of the crucial qualifier against Eritrea.

In an interview, Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy expressed concern over the delayed payment of players, saying some members of the squad had gone through several national team camps without receiving the allowances they had been promised.

He said the situation could leave players questioning whether their national team commitments were worthwhile when promised payments remained unsettled.

"For four to five camps, not receiving any cent of what was promised, of course as a human being you will be like, is it worth it? Is it okay for the national team?" McCarthy said.

Elsewhere, this comes months after President William Ruto announced that the government has disbursed Ksh27 million to Tokyo World Athletics Championships 2025 medalists. 

Speaking on Thursday, October 2, 2025, during a breakfast with the Kenyan athletics team at State House, Ruto said each gold medalist will receive Ksh3 million, while silver and bronze medalists will get Ksh2 million and Ksh1 million, respectively.

"In recognition of your heroic efforts, a total of Ksh27 million has already been disbursed to the medalists. Ksh3 million for each gold medalist, Ksh2 million for each silver medalist, and 1 million for bronze medalists in line with my directive," he said.

Ruto also announced that the government will cover half the cost of an affordable housing unit for the gold medalists.

"I want to confirm that just like we did for the Harambee Stars team in CHAN, the seven gold medalists will also benefit the way the others did. The government of Kenya is going to pay half of the cost of the house of your choice, and you pay the other half. If you don’t have money to pay the other half, we are going to extend a soft loan," he added.

The Kenyan team finished second out of 194 countries in the recently concluded Tokyo World Athletics Championship in Japan.

Kenya, represented by 59 athletes, secured a total of 11 medals at the championships, including 7 gold, 2 silver, and 2 bronze.

Among the standout performers was Chebet, who dominated the track in Tokyo, clinching gold in both the 10,000m and 5,000m races.

Other gold winners were: Peres Jepchirchir, Faith Kipyegon, Faith Cherotich, Emmanuel Wanyonyi, and Lilian Odira.