Benni McCarthy demands accountability over Kenya salary and visa issues

Kenya head coach Benni McCarthy has called for accountability within the country’s football federation over unpaid salaries and administrative issues affecting the national team.

The Harambee Stars boycotted training twice this week in a dispute over unpaid allowances and salaries, with McCarthy revealing that he and members of his technical team had also gone months without being paid.

The former Manchester United assistant coach also said he had been unable to work fully in Kenya because he did not have a work permit.

“It’s been one and a half years now in Kenya, but we don’t have work permits. We can’t work as illegal immigrants,” McCarthy said.

“That’s why I come, do my job, then leave when the camp is finished.”

Speaking ahead of Kenya’s opening 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Eritrea on Saturday, McCarthy said those responsible for the problems at the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) must be held accountable.

“The people responsible must take accountability, or people must be looking to the fact that heads are going to roll and bring in competent people that will make things happen so that we are not in this again,” he told Sporty TV, according to Pulse Sports.

“When we have people in the federation that made this and that mistake, and we let it slide, at the end of the day, it is the national team that suffers the consequences.”

McCarthy said the financial uncertainty had also affected the team’s preparations for their qualifiers.

“It has a massive negative effect on everything: players’ concentration, mental toughness, because if you are going out to prepare against a tough opposition, a good African counterpart, you have to be 100% ready,” he said.

“If your mind is dwelling elsewhere because we are focusing on how we are going to get the money, then you will limit your preparation levels.

“We are not the best team out there, so we need to be mentally ready and focused, and so we can’t afford to have these distractions, and that is frustrating.”

Olunga ruled out

McCarthy also confirmed that captain and star striker Michael Olunga will miss Kenya’s opening qualifiers because of an injury.

Olunga recently returned from a serious injury and had made a number of appearances for his club, including his first start since recovering.

However, scans showed strains after the striker reported stiffness in his legs.

“He told me he has a little bit of stiffness in his legs, and the scan picked up some strains, and we decided to avoid taking risks so that he can be available for the next matches and hopefully during AFCON 2027,” McCarthy said.

“We want to avoid anything bad happening to him and losing him for a long time. The smartest thing for me is to allow Michael to continue his rehab, and then we shall see.”

Kenya begin their qualifying campaign against Eritrea at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium on Saturday before travelling to Guinea for their second Group D fixture on 1 October.

They will also face South Africa in a group that includes the three other nations.

Kenya have already secured a place at the 2027 AFCON finals as one of the co-hosts alongside Uganda and Tanzania, but will use the qualifying campaign as preparation for the tournament.