The team's colloquial name, the Harambee Stars,[4][5] derives from Harambee, a Kenyan tradition of community self-help events such as fundraising and development activities. The word means "all pull together" in Swahili, and is the official motto of Kenya, appearing on its coat of arms.[6][7]
History
FIFA suspended Kenya from all football activities for three months in 2004, due to the interference of the government in football activities. The ban was reversed after the country agreed to create new statutes.[8]
On 25 October 2006, Kenya was again suspended from international football, for failing to fulfil a January 2006 agreement made to resolve recurrent problems in its federation. FIFA announced that the suspension would be in force until the federation complied with the agreements previously reached.[8][9]
Kenya qualified for the 2019 AFCON. The head coach at the time, Sébastien Migné, was appointed in May 2018,[10] and since his appointment Kenya has climbed back into the top 100 FIFA ranked nations.[11]
In May 2017, the Football Kenya Federation signed a 3-year partnership with kits manufacturer Mafro Sports to provide the kits for all national teams, as well as junior categories. The national team would use red jerseys for home matches, white jerseys for away matches, and green jerseys for matches played on neutral venues.[12][13]
On 8 September 2018, Kenya earned a win over 4-time African champions Ghana, winning 1–0.[14]
Eckhard Krautzun became the manager of the national football team of Kenya in 1971
Ray Batchelor was appointed the first national team coach in 1961. However, there was dissent regarding his managerial skills, and a revolt among players during a CECAFA Cup game in Zanzibar[17] led to him being forced out. In 1963, not long after Kenyan independence was declared, Kenyan international Peter Oronge took over coaching duties;[18] however, he disappeared just hours before a Jamhuri Day friendly against reigning champions Ghana in 1965. His absence was never explained, and Batchelor was called in as an emergency replacement. This match was the team's worst defeat, with a final score of 13–2 against Ghana. At the time, the Ghanaians were a very strong team with a dangerous striker in the form of Ben Acheampong. Two days later, after Batchelor had reorganised the team, the Kenyans and Ghanaians drew in a friendly match.[19]
INJ Withdrew due to injury PRE Preliminary/Standby squad RET Retired from the national team SUS Serving suspension WD Withdrew from the squad due to non-injury issue
^Courtney, Barrie. "Kenya International matches". Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Archived from the original on 12 November 2022. Retrieved 1 April 2007.
^Elo rankings change compared to one year ago. "World Football Elo Ratings". eloratings.net. 15 August 2025. Retrieved 15 August 2025.
^Ng'ethe, Njuguna (1983). "Politics, Ideology and the Underprivileged: The Origins and Nature of the Harambee Phenomenon in Kenya". Journal of Eastern African Research & Development. 13: 150–170. JSTOR24325584.
^ ab"FIFA suspends Kenya". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation sport. 26 October 2006. Archived from the original on 26 March 2013. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
^Wandera, Gilbert (25 October 2006). "FIFA Suspends Kenya Indefinitely". Nairobi: AllAfrica.com – The East African Standard. Archived from the original on 7 November 2006. Retrieved 27 October 2006.
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1–1 Uganda 
Burundi 
Ivory Coast 
Comoros 
Zimbabwe 
Gabon 
Seychelles 
Ray Batchelor (1961)
Eckhard Krautzun (1971).svg.png)
Grzegorz Polakow (1979)
Mohammed Kheri (1988–1990)
Gerry Saurer (1992).svg.png)
Vojo Gardašević (1996)
Christian Chukwu (1998).svg.png)
Bernard Lama (2006)
Adel Amrouche (2013–2014)
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Paul Put (2017–2018)
Engin Fırat (2021–2024)
Benni McCarthy (2025–present)
Vaasan Palloseura
Raków Częstochowa
Abha
Viborg
Mérida
Kheybar Khorramabad
OFK Beograd
Young Africans
Ararat-Armenia
Slavia Prague
Al-Duhail
UTA Arad
El Sekka El Hadid
Safa
United Kingdom
1978
1986
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1994
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2002
2014
2018
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2020
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Silver medal (1) : 1987
