Senator, MPs Raise Alarm Over Harambee Stars Allowances and FKF Crisis

Senators and Members of Parliament are sounding the alarm over unpaid allowances, welfare issues and administrative problems affecting Harambee Stars players and technical staff amid internal disputes within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF). Senator Samson Cherarkey from Nandi has requested Senate intervention regarding delayed payments, logistical issues and administrative challenges that arose during the September 2026 national team camp.

He highlighted concerns over unpaid player allowances, welfare arrangements and the status of work permits for coach Benni McCarthy and other non-Kenyan technical staff. Cherarkey emphasized that the national team cannot compete effectively when these matters remain unresolved. He wants the committee to determine the owed amounts, settle payments and provide timelines for clearing outstanding payments.

Specific attention is given to work permits and immigration documentation for McCarthy and foreign technical staff.

Members of Parliament have also joined the call, demanding the establishment of a normalization committee per FIFA rules to address governance disputes within FKF. Kiminini MP Kaikai Bissau sought clarification from the chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Sports and Culture on leadership issues, budget challenges and regulatory hurdles faced by FKF.

He pointed out that clubs, including his own Bazoo Boys, continue to bear financial burdens like player upkeep and salaries, despite the uncertainty of when the 2026–2027 Kenya Premier League will commence. Bissau warned that these disputes risk undermining player welfare, football development, and the country's readiness for upcoming international competitions.

He advocated for a FIFA-sanctioned normalization committee to tackle governance disputes, noting that while FIFA rules forbid government interference, they allow for such committees to address governance challenges.