Kenya national football team

The team's colloquial name, the Harambee Stars,^[3][4] 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.^[5][6]

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.^[7]

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.^[7][8]

Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time, Sébastien Migné, was appointed in May 2018,^[9] and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.^[10] He left in August 2019.^[11]

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.^[12][13]

On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.^[14]

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.^[15][16]

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

2025

Gambia  v  Kenya

20 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Gambia	3–3	Kenya	Abidjan, Ivory Coast
19:00 UTC+0	Barrow 55', 84' Minteh 61'	Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)	Olunga 69' (pen.) Bajaber 75' Wilson 90+6'	Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Stadium Referee: Abdou Abdel Mefire (Cameroon)

Kenya  v  Gabon

23 March 2026 World Cup qualification	Kenya	1–2	Gabon	Nairobi, Kenya
16:00 UTC+3	Olunga 62'	Report (FIFA) Report (CAF)	Aubameyang 16', 52' (pen.)	Stadium: Nyayo National Stadium

Kenya  v  Gambia

5 September 2026 World Cup qualification	Kenya	1–3	Gambia	Nairobi, Kenya
	Ogam 82'		Sinyan 12' Minteh 26' Barrow 38'	Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre

Kenya  v  Seychelles

9 September 2026 World Cup qualification	Kenya	5–0	Seychelles	Nairobi, Kenya
	Ogam 7', 37' Sichenje 35' Olunga 45+5' (pen.), 67'			Stadium: Moi International Sports Centre

Burundi  v  Kenya

9 October 2026 World Cup qualification	Burundi	0–1	Kenya	Bujumbura, Burundi
			Ogam 72'	Stadium: Prince Louis Rwagasore Stadium

Ivory Coast  v  Kenya

14 October 2026 World Cup qualification	Ivory Coast	3–0	Kenya	Abidjan, Cote D'Ivoire
	Kessié 8' Diomande 54' Amad 84'			Stadium: Alassane Ouattara Ebimpe Olympic Stadium

Kenya  v  Equatorial Guinea

14 November Friendly	Kenya	0–1	Equatorial Guinea	Antalya, Turkey
18:00 UTC+3		Report		Stadium: Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex Referee: Kadir Saglam (Turkey)

Senegal  v  Kenya

18 November Friendly	Senegal	8–0	Kenya	Antalya, Türkiye
18:00 UTC+3	Jackson 9', 15' Diouf 12' Mané 17', 31' (pen.), 35' Mbaye 48' Ndiaye 80' (pen.)	Report		Stadium: Antalya Stadium Referee: Atilla Karaoglan (Türkiye)

2026

Kenya  v  Estonia

27 March 2026 FIFA Series	Kenya	v	Estonia	Kigali, Rwanda
				Stadium: Amahoro Stadium

Rwanda /Grenada  v  Kenya

30 March 2026 FIFA Series	Rwanda /Grenada	v	Kenya	Kigali, Rwanda
				Stadium: Amahoro Stadium

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^[17] led to him being forced out. In 1963, not long after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties;^[18] 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.^[19]

Caretaker managers in italics.

Managers since 1961 include:^[20][18]

As of 18 November 2025^[22]

Players in bold are still active with Kenya.