Harambee Stars Boycott Training Before AFCON Qualifier Against Eritrea

• Kenya's Harambee Stars refused to train ahead of Saturday's 2027 AFCON qualifier at Nyayo National Stadium over welfare grievances
• Players are demanding a meeting with President William Ruto or Ministry of Sports officials before returning to camp
• The boycott follows a similar protest by Kenya's women's team earlier this year over unpaid allowances

Kenya's Harambee Stars have refused to train ahead of their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixture against Eritrea, scheduled for Saturday at Nyayo National Stadium, after players raised serious concerns about their treatment during national team assignments.

The players convened a meeting following their arrival at camp on Monday, 22 September 2026, and collectively agreed to withhold their participation in training until key grievances were addressed.

Players Demand Meeting With Ruto or Sports Ministry

The squad is calling for direct engagement with either President William Ruto or officials from the Ministry of Sports before they resume preparations. Their complaints centre on three main issues: substandard hotel accommodation during both home and away fixtures, travel arrangements that frequently involve long layovers on cheaper flights when more direct options exist, and outstanding allowances that remain unpaid.

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The players have made it clear that all financial arrears must be settled before they will return to the training pitch.

Kenya's History of Allowance Disputes

This is not the first time Kenya's national football structures have been disrupted by disputes over player welfare.

In July 2026, the Harambee Starlets, the women's national team, staged a protest at the Football Kenya Federation Goal Project offices in Nairobi, refusing to board their scheduled flight to France for a pre-2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations training camp. The players adopted a firm position, declining to depart until their outstanding payments were resolved.

Federation officials explained at the time that allowances for national team players are processed through the Ministry of Sports, placing the responsibility for disbursement with the government.

Kenya are competing in a 2027 AFCON qualifying group alongside South Africa, Eritrea and Guinea. Should the current dispute remain unresolved, the Harambee Stars' readiness for Saturday's crucial tie could be seriously compromised.

Source: Briefly News