Kenya’s national women’s football team, Harambee Starlets, have staged a protest over unpaid allowances and match bonuses — a dramatic development that came less than 24 hours after the players met President William Ruto at State House and received promises that their grievances would be addressed.
What Players Are Demanding
The players say they are owed several months of outstanding match allowances and daily subsistence payments from previous international assignments. Some players claim they have not received full payment for engagements stretching back over a year. They also raised concerns about inadequate preparation facilities ahead of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026, for which Kenya has qualified.
The State House Meeting
On Tuesday, President Ruto hosted the Harambee Starlets at State House, making a KSh 33 million payment to the players and giving assurances that all outstanding amounts would be settled. The players left the meeting in apparent good spirits, with photos of the meeting widely shared on social media. However, within hours, the same players were back voicing discontent, indicating that the President’s payment did not cover the full amount owed.
FKF and Sports Ministry Silent
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the State Department for Sports had not issued a response to the latest protests by the time of publication. Sources within the team said players are determined to have all their dues cleared before travelling to France for a week-long training camp ahead of WAFCON.
WAFCON 2026 Preparations
The Harambee Starlets are set to depart for Miramas, France, for a training camp to prepare for WAFCON 2026, the continental women’s football championship. Kenya’s qualification is a significant achievement for women’s football in the country, but the allowances dispute risks disrupting team morale ahead of the tournament.
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