Gov't clears Harambee Stars arrears after McCarthy bombshell

The Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports has confirmed that it has settled all outstanding financial obligations owed to the Harambee Stars players and technical bench staff.

The move comes a day after explosive revelations by head coach Benni McCarthy regarding long-overdue player allowances and administrative lapses within the national team camp.

In a statement issued on September 24, 2026, the Ministry addressed growing concerns over player welfare as the national team prepare for their crucial AFCON 2027 qualifier against Eritrea at Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday.

"We wish to clarify that, as of today, the Ministry has honoured its financial commitments relating to previous assignments, including allowances for Harambee Stars engagements in Zambia, South Africa, Turkey, the Under-20 CECAFA assignment in Tanzania, outstanding salaries for the Harambee Stars technical bench, both through the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and to the respective members of the national team," said the Ministry.

“Any payments relating to subsequent assignments that may still be pending are undergoing the requisite administrative processes in consultation with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).”

McCarthy sounded the alarm over player welfare issues, warning that team preparations for the Eritrea fixture were disrupted after some players withdrew or declined call-ups.

“What they've been through with the national team, it's impossible for me to make them change their minds because so many things have happened, and every story that's been told to me makes me understand,” he said.

“The team is pushing one way, and every corner we turned, we were encountering a problem. And when it builds up and you don't address the problem, it becomes a bigger and bigger problem. We should be training. We should be focusing on going to play against Eritrea, preparing for Guinea, but all our focus is on the coaches not having work permits, the players not getting paid their allowances from three, four camps already, the coaches, my technical team also not having been paid."

After the Eritrea assignment, Harambee Stars travel to Conakry for their duel with Guinea on October 1.