Kenya’s Harambee Stars boycott training over unpaid bonuses before Eritrea qualifier

Kenya’s Harambee Stars and their technical staff have refused to train just days before their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Eritrea.

The unprecedented boycott reflects a serious breakdown between the national team and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), with the players and staff demanding the payment of substantial bonuses that have remained outstanding since last year.

They have also raised concerns about working conditions which they believe fall below the standards expected of an international team.

The squad and coaching staff consider dialogue with FKF president Hussein Mohammed to have broken down completely. They are now calling for direct action from either the Sports Minister or President William Ruto to resolve the dispute.

The stand-off comes at a difficult time for Kenyan football, with the country preparing to co-host the continental competition in 2027.

Unless the financial and institutional disputes are settled quickly, Kenya’s preparations for Saturday’s fixture against Eritrea could be seriously affected.