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. He left in August 2019.
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.
2025
2026
2027
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.
Caretaker managers in italics. Managers since 1961 include:
Ray Batchelor (1961) Peter Oronge (1963) Ray Batchelor (1965) Jack Gibbons (1966) Elijah Lidonde (1967) Eckhard Krautzun (1971) Jonathan Niva (1972) Ray Wood (1975) Grzegorz Polakow (1979) Stephen Yongo (1979) Marshall Mulwa (1980–1983) Bernhard Zgoll (1984) Reinhard Fabisch (1987) Chris Makokha (1988) Mohammed Kheri (1988–1990) Gerry Saurer (1992) Mohammed Kheri (1995) Vojo Gardašević (1996) Reinhard Fabisch (1997) Abdul Majid (1998) Christian Chukwu (1998) James Siang'a (1999–2000) Reinhard Fabisch (2001–2002) Joe Kadenge (2002) Jacob Mulee (2003–2004) Twahir Muhiddin (2004–2005) Mohammed Kheri (2005) Bernard Lama (2006) Tom Olaba (2006) Jacob Mulee (2007–2008) Francis Kimanzi (2008–2009) Antoine Hey (2009) Twahir Muhiddin (2009–2010) Jacob Mulee (2010) Zedekiah Otieno (2010–2011) Francis Kimanzi (2011–2012) Henri Michel (2012) James Nandwa (2012–2013) Adel Amrouche (2013–2014) Bobby Williamson (2014–2016) Stanley Okumbi (2016–2017) Paul Put (2017–2018) Stanley Okumbi (2018) Sébastien Migné (2018–2019) Francis Kimanzi (2019–2020) Jacob Mulee (2020–2021) Kennedy Odhiambo (2021) Engin Fırat (2021–2024) Francis Kimanzi (2024–2025) Benni McCarthy (2025–present)
Players Current squad The following players were selected for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification matchest against Eritrea and Guinea on 26 September and 1 October 2026; respectively.
Caps and goals are correct as of 7 June 2026, after the match against Lesotho.
Recent call-ups The following players have also been called up to the Kenya squad within the last twelve months.
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
Players in bold are still active with Kenya.
Most appearances
RankPlayerCapsGoalsCareer 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 Michael Olunga 69 34 2015–present 10 Wilberforce Mulamba 68 14 1978–1988 James Siang'a 68 0 1963–1975
Top goalscorers
RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareer 1 William Ouma 35 66 1965–1977 2 Michael Olunga 34 69 2015–present Dennis Oliech 34 76 2002–2015 4 Elijah Lidonde 33 26 1950–19615 Ali Kajo 26 32 1959–1969 Livingstone Madegwa 26 49 1964–1972 7 Joe Kadenge 25 63 1957–1970 8 John Baraza 21 52 2002–20119 Daniel Nicodemus 17 34 1963–1972 Mike Origi 17 48 1990–2004 John Nyawanga 17 80 1965–1976
Competition records
FIFA World Cup FIFA World Cup recordQualification recordYearRoundPosition1930 to 1958Part of Part of 1962 to 1970Did not enterDeclined participation 1974Did not qualify622298 1978201101 1982210136 19864112610 1990613224 1994210124 199884131414 2002201102 2006124261117 2010124171316 20148332115 2018421164 2022613249 2026103341814 2030To be determined To be determined 2034Total8427223599114
African Nations Championship African Nations Championship recordYearRoundPosition* 2009Did not qualify 2011 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 QF 5th 5 3 2 0 5 2Total QF 1/8 5 3 2 0 5 2
Africa Cup of Nations
Africa Cup of Nations recordYearRoundPosition* 1957 to 1959Not affiliated to CAF 1962 to 1970Did not qualify 1972Group stage 5th302134 1974 to 1982Did not qualify 1984Did not enter 1986Did not qualify 1988Group stage 8th301206 19908th301203 19929th200215 1994Did not qualify 1996Withdrew 1998 to 2002Did not qualify 2004Group stage11th310246 2006 to 2017Did not qualify 2019Group stage17th310237 2021Did not qualify 2023Disqualified due to FIFA suspension 2025Did not qualify 2027Qualified as co-hosts 2029To be determinedTotal Group stage 7/36 17 2 4 11 11 31
African Games YearRoundPldWDLGFGA 19872nd522176
Honours Continental African Games1 Silver medal (1): 1987
Regional CECAFA Cup Champions (7): 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017 Runners-up (7): 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012 Third place (6): 1978, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2003
Friendly Gossage Cup / Challenge Cup (14): 1926, 1931, 1941, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1953, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1966, 1967, 1971 Four Nations Football Tournament (1): 2024
Notes Competition organized by ANOCA, officially not recognized by FIFA.
References
External links
Kenya at CAF Kenya at FIFA Kenyan Football Portal (archived 2014)