Nationwide U15 scouting program hits final phase

The Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) nationwide U15 talent identification and assessment program has entered its crucial final phase, with the country's top young prospects converging for final evaluation ahead of upcoming international assignments.

Over the past eight months, more than 1,000 players across the country have been scouted and evaluated by FKF-trained coaches.

Following nationwide talent identification activities, FKF conducted a two-day regional assessment across various centres to evaluate technical, tactical, and physical attributes.

The talent drive is now set to narrow down to a final pool, with 40 boys and 40 girls selected to attend a national residential camp at Kabarak.

From Kabarak, the technical team will name the final U15 boys’ and girls’ squads to represent Kenya at the CAF African Schools Football Championship 2026 and the 2026 FIFA U-15 World Cup and Festival.

Joanes Okumu, an FKF scout from Siaya county monitoring trials at Maseno School, praised the high level of talent displayed while highlighting the challenges faced on the ground.

“We had boys and girls coming together, some for the first time from their villages, to have a glimpse of what is expected of them in the future.

They have done a good job in as much as they could to express themselves. Looking at them, you see talent that really needs to be nurtured at this age and brought to the national level,” he noted.

However, Okumu pointed out that administrative oversights, specifically missing identification documents, threatened to sideline several promising youngsters.

“One of the challenges we faced was the documentation aspect. Some players came in with missing documents because local coaches held them back, making it very difficult to bring them on board. Going forward, coaches must ensure these boys and girls have their documents ready in time before national trials,” he explained.

Despite the hurdles, Okumu applauded proactive grassroots handlers who have helped players acquire passports early, calling on other youth coaches to follow suit to ensure smooth progression into national assignments.

For many young prospects participating in the regional assessment centers, the journey has provided unprecedented exposure and a strong sense of unity.

Brandon Omondi, a youngster scouted from Obunga FC in Kisumu, expressed his delight at getting his first call-up to the national setup.

“When I was called for the camp for the National U15 team, I was happy because it’s my first experience representing my country. Everyone has talent in this camp and everyone came with one goal, to be chosen to play for Kenya. We have been staying together, sleeping together, building our unity and togetherness,” Omondi explained.

By maintaining a centralized talent database and taking scouting directly to the grassroots, FKF aims to establish a transparent, sustainable pipeline for future Harambee Stars and Harambee Starlets selections, with the Kabarak camp serving as the final decisive hurdle.