Kenya national team Harambee Stars players have reportedly refused to train ahead of Saturday’s AFCON qualifier against Eritrea, demanding talks with President William Ruto or Sports Ministry officials over welfare concerns.
They are unhappy with accommodation, flight arrangements and unpaid allowances, and want the issues resolved before resuming training. The players want to meet President Ruto or Sports Ministry officials over welfare and logistical concerns, including accommodation, flight arrangements and unpaid allowances.
They say they will resume training once the issues are addressed. Their demands include better accommodation, improved flight arrangements and payment of outstanding allowances before they resume preparations for Saturday’s Eritrea clash.
The squad, which convened on Tuesday, refused to train until several key welfare and logistical grievances are resolved.
Their demands include immediate payment of all pending allowances, improved hotel accommodations—citing previous stays in substandard facilities—and better travel arrangements to replace the budget flights and tedious layovers they have recently experienced.
The allowances in question include friendly matches played against Lesotho in June, as well as friendly matches against Senegal and Equatorial Guinea in Turkey in November 2025.
The players are said to be demanding:
- Better accommodation for both home and away assignments
- Improved travel arrangements, including fewer lengthy layovers
- Payment of all outstanding allowances
- A meeting with President William Ruto or officials from the Sports Ministry to address their concerns.
The situation comes just days before a crucial AFCON 2027 qualifier, putting the team’s preparations under pressure.
