Kenyan government has resolved Harambee Stars coach salary dispute, ending eight months of unpaid wages ahead of 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has announced that the Kenyan government has successfully cleared all outstanding salary dues owed to Harambee Stars' head coach Engin Firat.
This revelation comes after the Turkish coach publicly disclosed in September that he had not received his salary for the past eight months.
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Speaking on Wednesday at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport when seeing off Harambee Stars, who jetted out to Gabon for a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers opener, Namwamba assured the public and the national team that the government has fulfilled its financial commitments to the coach and the players.
"We believe in the boys; we have paid them all allowances, settled the coach's salaries, and arranged for a chartered plane. I have told them to come back with the required results. I believe in Harambee Stars," he said.
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The move to settle the salary arrears is a positive development, as Kenya has faced criticism in the past for failing to pay its former coaches.
Notably, previous coaches like Bobby Williamson and Adel Amrouche received significant settlements after experiencing similar issues with unpaid salaries.
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Firat's monthly salary was reported to be $20,000 USD (approximately Sh2.9 million Kenyan Shillings), with the Ministry of Sports responsible for covering the expenses.
Kenya is set to play crucial matches against Gabon and Seychelles in Ivory Coast, and Namwamba assured them of his support.
"I am here to assure the boys and all Kenyans that we are behind them. As a government, we have supported them in friendlies," Namwamba emphasized.
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The departure marks a significant moment for Kenyan football, as it is the team's first competitive assignment in two years.
The last competitive match played by Kenya was in November 2021 during a World Cup qualifier against Rwanda, which Kenya won 2-1 at the Nyayo National Stadium.
However, following that victory, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) faced suspension by then-Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed, leading to a FIFA ban. This ban had adverse effects on the national team's activities and participation in international competitions.
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