Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has disclosed that he and his foreign technical staff have been working in Kenya without formal work permits for over a year. This situation forces them to leave the country immediately after national team camps and matches. McCarthy's revelation comes amid growing concerns over the welfare of Harambee Stars players and preparations for the team's 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign.
According to Kenyan immigration regulations, foreign nationals employed in the country, including coaches and technical staff, require a Class D work permit sponsored by the relevant sports federation, club, or organization. This permit is intended for individuals with specialized skills or qualifications required by the employer. McCarthy's situation highlights the challenges faced by foreign technical staff working with Kenyan sports teams.
The Harambee Stars are facing a fresh crisis over unpaid player allowances, with some players reportedly having gone through four or five national team camps without receiving promised payments. McCarthy expressed concern over the impact of the outstanding payments on the players' commitment and morale. He noted that not receiving any payment for an extended period could affect a player's motivation and dedication to the team.
The concerns over unpaid allowances contributed to a player boycott after Harambee Stars members and technical staff declined to train upon reporting to camp in Nairobi. The players cited unpaid allowances, accommodation problems, and other outstanding welfare issues. Football Kenya Federation Head of Projects and National Teams Athanus Obango said the players were demanding Sh80,000 each in allowances relating to previous matches against Senegal and Lesotho.
Kenya played Lesotho in two friendly matches in June, drawing 1-1 before suffering a 4-1 defeat. The team also lost 8-0 to Senegal in a friendly played in Antalya, Turkey, in November 2025. McCarthy has since named a 24-man squad largely comprising foreign-based players for the upcoming assignment against Eritrea.
Eritrea arrived in Kenya on Tuesday and has been training at Police Sacco Stadium ahead of the encounter. Kenya will face Eritrea in a 2027 AFCON qualifier before travelling to Conakry to play Guinea on October 1. South Africa is the other team in their qualifying group. The Harambee Stars will need to address their internal issues to perform well in the upcoming matches.
McCarthy's situation and the team's challenges highlight the need for the Football Kenya Federation to address the welfare of players and technical staff. The federation must ensure that players receive their allowances and that technical staff have the necessary documentation to work in the country. The team's performance in the upcoming matches will depend on resolving these issues.
Key points
- Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy and his foreign technical staff have been working in Kenya without formal work permits for over a year.
- The team is facing a crisis over unpaid player allowances, which has affected player morale and commitment.
- The Football Kenya Federation must address the welfare of players and technical staff to ensure the team's success in upcoming matches.
