# Kenya national football team

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.
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.
Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

### 2024
## 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.
Managers since 1961 include (caretaker managers in italics):
* Ray Batchelor (1961, 1965)
* Peter Oronge (1963)
* Jack Gibbons (1966)
* Elijah Lidonde (1967)
* Eckhard Krautzun (1971)
* Jonathan Niva (1972)
* Ray Wood (1975)
* 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)
* 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)
* Paul Put (2017–2018)
* Sébastien Migné (2018–19)
* Francis Kimanzi (2019–20)
* Kennedy Odhiambo (2021)
* Engin Fırat (2021–24)
* Francis Kimanzi (2024–25)
* Benni McCarthy (2025–)

## Players
### Current squad

The following players were selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification – CAF Group F matches against Gambia and Gabon on 20 and 23 March 2025.
Caps and goals are correct as of 19 November 2024, after the match against Namibia.
| Pos. | Player | Date of birth (age) | Caps | Goals | Club |
| 1GK | Ian Otieno | (1993-08-09) 9 August 1993 (age 31) | 10 | 0 | Richards Bay |
| 1GK | Brian Bwire | (2000-06-19) 19 June 2000 (age 24) | 2 | 0 | Polokwane City |
| 2DF | Erick Otieno | (1996-09-27) 27 September 1996 (age 28) | 48 | 0 | Raków Częstochowa |
| 2DF | Brian Onyango | (1994-07-24) 24 July 1994 (age 30) | 38 | 3 | Stellenbosch |
| 2DF | Johnstone Omurwa | (1998-08-08) 8 August 1998 (age 26) | 21 | 0 | Abha |
| 2DF | Rooney Onyango | (2001-08-08) 8 August 2001 (age 23) | 13 | 1 | Gor Mahia |
| 2DF | Daniel Anyembe | (1998-07-22) 22 July 1998 (age 26) | 11 | 0 | Viborg |
| 2DF | Ismael Athuman | (1995-02-01) 1 February 1995 (age 30) | 11 | 0 | Mérida |
| 2DF | Manzur Okwaro | (2006-01-01) 1 January 2006 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | KCB |
| 3MF | Teddy Akumu | (1992-10-20) 20 October 1992 (age 32) | 60 | 1 | Kheybar Khorramabad |
| 3MF | Richard Odada | (2000-11-25) 25 November 2000 (age 24) | 21 | 1 | OFK Beograd |
| 3MF | Duke Abuya | (1994-03-23) 23 March 1994 (age 30) | 18 | 2 | Young Africans |
| 3MF | Amos Nondi | (1999-02-10) 10 February 1999 (age 26) | 16 | 1 | Ararat-Armenia |
| 3MF | Timothy Ouma | (2004-06-10) 10 June 2004 (age 20) | 8 | 0 | Slavia Prague |
| 4FW | Michael Olunga | (1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 30) | 60 | 29 | Al-Duhail |
| 4FW | Eric Johanna Omondi | (1994-08-18) 18 August 1994 (age 30) | 36 | 4 | UTA Arad |
| 4FW | Masoud Juma | (1996-02-03) 3 February 1996 (age 29) | 22 | 8 | Esteghlal |
| 4FW | John Avire | (1997-03-12) 12 March 1997 (age 28) | 12 | 2 | El Sekka El Hadid |
| 4FW | Jonah Ayunga | (1997-05-24) 24 May 1997 (age 27) | 5 | 1 | St Mirren |
| 4FW | Elvis Rupia | (1995-04-12) 12 April 1995 (age 29) | 4 | 1 | Ihefu |
| 4FW | Mohammed Bajaber | (2003-03-15) 15 March 2003 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Kenya Police |
| 4FW | Ben Stanley Omondi | (2004-04-24) 24 April 2004 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Gor Mahia |

### Recent call-ups

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 | Bryne Odhiambo | (2000-11-28) 28 November 2000 (age 24) | 7 | 0 | Bandari | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Dolph Junior | (2003-12-08) 8 December 2003 (age 21) | 0 | 0 | Gor Mahia | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Ibrahim Wanzala | (2005-03-16) 16 March 2005 (age 20) | 0 | 0 | Kakamega Homeboyz | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| GK | Patrick Matasi | (1987-12-11) 11 December 1987 (age 37) | 37 | 0 | Tusker | v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024 |
| DF | Alphonce Omija | (2002-10-09) 9 October 2002 (age 22) | 3 | 0 | Dhofar Club | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Sylvester Owino | (2001-05-06) 6 May 2001 (age 23) | 2 | 0 | Gor Mahia | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Amos Wanjala | | 2 | 0 | Gimnàstic de Tarragona | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Paul Ochuoga | (2004-09-13) 13 September 2004 (age 20) | 1 | 0 | Gor Mahia | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Geoffrey Onyango | | 1 | 0 | Kariobangi Sharks | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| DF | Aboud Omar | (1992-09-09) 9 September 1992 (age 32) | 48 | 0 | Kenya Police | v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024 |
| DF | Joseph Okumu | (1997-05-26) 26 May 1997 (age 27) | 23 | 1 | Reims | v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024 |
| DF | Collins Sichenje | (2003-09-19) 19 September 2003 (age 21) | 4 | 0 | Vojvodina | v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024 |
| MF | Chris Erambo | (2004-12-10) 10 December 2004 (age 20) | 6 | 0 | Tusker | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Austin Odhiambo | (1999-12-16) 16 December 1999 (age 25) | 3 | 1 | Gor Mahia | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | John Ochieng | (2003-12-15) 15 December 2003 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | Zanaco | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Kayci Odhiambo | (2003-04-28) 28 April 2003 (age 21) | 2 | 0 | AFC Leopards | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Patrick Otieno | (2000-12-24) 24 December 2000 (age 24) | 2 | 1 | Posta Rangers | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Aldrine Kibet | (2006-06-13) 13 June 2006 (age 18) | 1 | 0 | Gimnàstic de Tarragona | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Stanley Wilson | | 1 | 0 | Kariobangi Sharks | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | William Gitamu | | 0 | 0 | Bandari | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Elly Owande | | 0 | 0 | Migori Youth | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| MF | Kenneth Muguna | (1996-01-06) 6 January 1996 (age 29) | 35 | 2 | Kenya Police | v. Ivory Coast; 11 June 2024 |
| FW | Benson Omala | (2001-10-16) 16 October 2001 (age 23) | 5 | 1 | Safa | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Alfred Tanui | (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 22) | 1 | 0 | Talanta | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Hassan Beja | (2005-08-26) 26 August 2005 (age 19) | 0 | 0 | AFC Leopards | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Jeremy Bissau | | 0 | 0 | Brooke House College | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| FW | Moses Shummah | (2002-10-27) 27 October 2002 (age 22) | 0 | 0 | Kakamega Homeboyz | 2024 COSAFA Cup |
| $^{INJ}$ 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

    As of 14 October 2024
    Players in bold are still active with Kenya.

### Most appearances

| 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 |
| 9 | James Siang'a | 68 | 0 | 1963–1975 |

### Top goalscorers

| 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 |
| 5 | 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 |
| 9 | Mike Origi | 17 | 48 | 0.35 | 1990–2004 |
| 9 | John Nyawanga | 17 | 80 | 0.21 | 1965–1976 |

## Competition records
### FIFA World Cup

| FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | FIFA World Cup record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record | Qualification record |
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1930 to 1958 | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom | Part of United Kingdom |
| 1962 to 1970 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation | Declined participation |
| 1974 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 |
| 1978 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 6 |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 10 |
| 1990 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 |
| 1998 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 14 |
| 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 2006 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 17 |
| 2010 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 16 |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 5 |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 4 |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | 6 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 9 |
| 2026 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| 2030 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| 2034 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | | 0/16 | | | | | | | 78 | 25 | 21 | 32 | 88 | 103 |

### African Nations Championship

African Nations Championship record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 2009 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2014 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2016 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2018 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2020 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2022 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2024 | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts |
| Total | TBD | 1/8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |

### Africa Cup of Nations

Africa Cup of Nations record :
| Year | Round | Position | Pld | W | D* | L | GF | GA |
| 1957 to 1959 | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF | Not affiliated to CAF |
| 1962 to 1970 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1972 | Group stage | 5th | 3 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 1974 to 1982 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1984 | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter | Did not enter |
| 1986 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1988 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 6 |
| 1990 | Group stage | 8th | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| 1992 | Group stage | 9th | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 1994 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 1996 | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew | Withdrew |
| 1998 to 2002 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2004 | Group stage | 11th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 |
| 2006 to 2017 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2019 | Group stage | 17th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 |
| 2021 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2023 | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension | Disqualified due to FIFA suspension |
| 2025 | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2027 | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts | Qualified as co-hosts |
| 2029 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |
| Total | Group stage | 7/36 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 11 | 31 |

### African Games

| Year | Round | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA |
| 1987 | 2nd | 5 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 6 |

## Honours
### Continental

* African Games
** Silver medal (1) : 1987

### Regional

* CECAFA Cup
** Winners (7): 1975, 1981, 1982, 1983, 2002, 2013, 2017
** Runners-up (7): 1979, 1985, 1991, 1999, 2001, 2008, 2012
** Runners-up (6): 1978, 1988, 1989, 1994, 1995, 2003