Kenya's national football team, the Harambee Stars, will begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification matches in a private aircraft on November 15, 2023, early from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, according to Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
As CS Namwamba and Coach Engin Firat spoke, the fully outfitted team formed a line on the tarmac shook hands with the CS, and boarded the private aircraft.
The government, according to CS Namwamba's statement, is fully in support of Harambee Stars, who will now be playing in international competitive matches for the first time in two years after being allowed to play in level-building friendly matches.
Off 🛫🛫#Tunaweza pic.twitter.com/ZTLHDaAwK8
— Harambee Stars (@Harambee__Stars) November 15, 2023Did you read this?
"Government, through the Ministry of Sports, has fully supported the team with good level build-up friendlies, including against World Cup teams Russia, Qatar and Iran. The boys have been in a quality residential camp for the required time. Player allowances and technical bench dues have been sorted. We have chattered a private aircraft to fly the team directly to the two crucial assignments in Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire, where Seychelles is hosting their game.
I have urged the boys to put their best foot forward for Kenya and committed handsome cash rewards for every 3 points they nail in these qualifiers. Our prayers and best wishes to the boys. C'mon #HarambeeStars 🇰🇪," said CS Namwamba.
The cost of renting a private plane in Kenya can range from $2,000 (Sh 304,000) to $17,000 (Sh 2,585,700) per hour, depending on the size of the aircraft, the number of passengers, and the distance to be traveled.
Kenya will compete against Gabon, Ivory Coast, Burundi, Seychelles, and Gambia in an attempt to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
The victorious squad from this pool advances to the FIFA World Cup 2026, which Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico will co-host.
At the request of the Seychelles, Kenya will play Gabon on November 16, 2023, at Stade de la Renovation de Franceville, Gabon, and then, on November 20, 2023, at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
The group gave their assurance that they would prevail in these games.
FIFA forbade Kenya from taking part in competitive international football matches while Amina Mohammed was the cabinet secretary for sports.
Early this morning at #JKIA I saw off our national football men team @Harambee__Stars departing to West Africa for 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Gabon tomorrow Nov 16 and Seychelles on Monday Nov 20. Kenya returns to competitive international football for the first time in… pic.twitter.com/FBFJRRVM8R
— Hon Ababu-Namwamba, EGH🇰🇪 (@AbabuNamwamba) November 15, 2023
The suspension came after accusations of corruption and embezzlement at the Football Kenya Federation during President Nick Mwendwa's administration, as well as ongoing government "interference" in football-related issues. Following his appointment to the Sports docket, CS Namwamba got right to work, clearing up the mess and reassuring FIFA, which resulted in the ban being lifted.
Kenya has qualified for the tournament by defeating Qatar 2-1 in Doha, drawing 2-2 with Russia in Turkey, and then, somewhat surprisingly, losing 1-0 to South Sudan and Mauritius.
