Benni McCarthy’s Kenya work permit issues back on track, says FKF president

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Hussein Mohammed says the work permit complications affecting Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy and his technical team are being addressed and should be resolved soon.

McCarthy was appointed Kenya head coach in March 2025, marking his first role as a national team manager after previous spells in club football. However, the former South Africa international and members of his backroom staff have been without work permits since arriving in the country.

Speaking to CGTN Africa, Mohammed said the federation had completed the necessary applications but acknowledged that there had been setbacks in the process.

“As you may well know, the federation doesn’t issue work permits. That is under the preserve, of course, of the government,” he said.

“But all the applications have been done and it’s a process.

“It’s unfortunate that along the way, maybe a ball or two were dropped in that process, but it’s back on track and I’m sure it’s something that will be resolved in no time.”

Mohammed’s comments come amid growing scrutiny of McCarthy, who has faced criticism from some Kenyan supporters over his assessment of the country’s chances of competing for the Africa Cup of Nations title.

The former Bafana Bafana striker recently suggested that Kenya would struggle to match established African football powers such as Morocco, Egypt and Senegal, pointing to the quality of the available squad and the resources at their disposal.

His assessment sparked frustration among sections of the fanbase, with some supporters calling for his dismissal.

However, Mohammed has reiterated his backing for McCarthy, stressing that the federation must trust its staff while identifying and addressing shortcomings.

“Well, we have had, of course, the issues that have arisen over time, but you have got to trust your team. So you’ve got to have trust in your team that they will be able to deliver,” he said.

“And for us, we believe in empowering whoever is under the federation in whatever capacity or department to be able to perform at their optimum.

“To me, this is critical that you give and support. So for the areas that have not gone right, we really have to take a step back and say, what didn’t we get right and why didn’t we get it right and then fix it moving forward.”

McCarthy, who previously worked with clubs including AmaZulu and Cape Town City, is tasked with helping Kenya improve its standing in African football.

The work permit issue remains an administrative challenge for the federation, but Mohammed’s latest comments suggest efforts are under way to resolve it.

The FKF president’s remarks also indicate that, despite criticism of the team’s prospects and recent performances, the federation intends to support McCarthy while working to address the problems affecting its operations.