NAIROBI, Kenya – Harambee Stars players have boycotted training ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea, demanding payment of outstanding allowances and changes to how the national team handles their welfare.
The players reported to camp in Nairobi but declined to take part in training after holding a meeting to discuss their concerns ahead of Saturday’s match at Nyayo National Stadium.
Their demands include payment of allowances from previous international matches, better accommodation during national-team assignments and improved flight arrangements for both home and away fixtures.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Head of Projects and National Teams Athanus Obango confirmed that the players are seeking approximately Sh80,000 each for the previous matches against Senegal and Lesotho.
“The issue is that the Senegal allowance is long overdue and they also want the allowance for the Lesotho game. That per player is around Sh80,000,” Obango said.
He said the government, rather than FKF, is responsible for settling the allowances.
“The responsibility of paying the allowances of the players lies with the government and not FKF and we hope things will be sorted out,” Obango said.
The dispute extends beyond the outstanding payments. The players have also raised concerns about the standard of accommodation provided during national-team assignments. They have questioned why the team has sometimes stayed in hotels they consider below the expected standard while representing Kenya.
Flight arrangements have also become a point of contention, with players reportedly complaining about being booked on cheaper flights involving lengthy layovers despite more convenient options being available.
The players are seeking a meeting with either President William Ruto or officials from the Ministry of Sports to address the issues before they resume training.
The boycott has also exposed differences within the squad.
Obango said some players currently in camp were not part of the Senegal and Lesotho matches but had joined the action in solidarity with teammates who were owed money.
Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has also addressed the issue of delayed payments, acknowledging the frustration created when players go through several national-team camps without receiving promised allowances.
McCarthy questioned whether players could continue viewing national-team assignments positively when payments remain outstanding.
“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.
The boycott comes just days before Kenya hosts Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, September 26.
McCarthy named a 24-man squad for the opening qualifiers, with captain Michael Olunga leading the team. Kenya will then travel to Conakry to face Guinea on October 1, while South Africa completes Group D.
Kenya already has a guaranteed place at the 2027 AFCON finals because it is one of the tournament’s three co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The qualifying matches therefore provide McCarthy with competitive fixtures to assess his squad and prepare the team for the continental tournament.
