Boost women’s football

Harambee Starlets' disappointing performance at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations has prompted a call to action for the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the government. The team failed to score a single goal throughout the tournament, losing to Morocco, Senegal, and Algeria. This outcome mirrored their poor showing at the 2016 Wafcon in Cameroon, where they also lost all their matches.

These results have left Kenyan football fans disappointed and questioning the team's performance, preparation, and the lack of attention and support from the FKF, the government, and corporations.

The problems were evident even before the tournament began, as the Harambee Starlets players had to protest for their allowances to be paid. The team was not given any build-up matches and had a hastily organized camp in Miramas, France. It is disheartening that the Starlets did not receive the attention they deserved from the Ministry of Sports, FKF, and corporations, unlike the Harambee Stars, who have consistently received overwhelming support.

Despite qualifying through a highly competitive process, the Harambee Starlets have been left to struggle.

The Junior Starlets, who recently qualified for their second ever Fifa Women’s Under-17 World Cup, also lack the necessary support and buzz around their preparations. It is crucial to eliminate the segregation in the country and provide the Starlets and Junior Starlets with the support they deserve, given their achievements. Well-organized age-group tournaments with a fully-fledged women’s national league and improved prize money will not only attract quality and competition but also trickle down to the national teams.