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Former Harambee Stars coach has called for a fresh start urging youth integration and local player competition to revive the team.
On December 16, 1976, Kenneth Matiba, the chairman of the Kenya Football Federation, made a simple yet significant decree: the Kenya national football team would henceforth be known as the Harambee Stars.
It was not an event marked by fanfare or ceremonies, but the new name was a symbol of unity and hope for a national team that would rise together, much like the spirit behind the word "Harambee," which means "let’s all pull together."
For years, the idea of giving the national team a proper name had been floating around in hushed conversations, mostly from football enthusiasts who wished the team could embody the same sense of purpose and unity that its new title suggested.
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Yet, when Matiba made the announcement, it came as a surprise.
There was no press conference, no elaborate plan—just a press release buried among other administrative updates concerning player transfers and discipline.
The national team, officially known as the Harambee Stars, began its new chapter with little fanfare, but the name would go on to hold immense significance for the country’s football culture.
Fast forward nearly five decades, and the story of the Harambee Stars is one of highs and lows.
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From the highs of continental glory in the late 1990s and early 2000s to the lows of consistent underperformance in recent years, the Stars have struggled to maintain their place as a competitive force in African football.
As of 2024, the national team languishes in 108th position in the FIFA rankings, a stark reminder of the team’s current struggles on the international stage.
The most recent setback came with the failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the Stars finished third in Group J, behind giants Cameroon and Zimbabwe.
This disappointing performance has prompted former Harambee Stars head coach Twahir Muhiddin to call for a fresh start, with a renewed focus on youth development and a strategic blend of seasoned and up-and-coming talent.
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Muhiddin, who has seen both the triumphs and setbacks of the national team from the sidelines, believes that now is the time for a significant change in the team’s approach.
“There is already a good plan with the youth teams in the country and so we need to blend these youthful players with some experienced players to come up with a formidable team that is ready to compete and not just participating in the qualifiers or tournaments," Muhiddin said in an interview reflecting on the team's performance as per Citizen.
Muhiddin’s thoughts echo the frustration of many Kenyan football fans who have long yearned for a team that can consistently challenge the continent's top teams.
While talent is evident in the younger generation of players, their success depends on a well-balanced team that merges the enthusiasm and hunger of youth with the tactical maturity and leadership of experienced players.
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Muhiddin stresses the importance of patience and time to build a team that will be able to perform at the highest level in competitions like the 2027 AFCON.
“The team formation is also a process and if we can give whichever coach we will have time – like about two years to come up with a team blended well with the youth and experienced players, then we will start reaping the fruits of our patience,” Muhiddin added.
A crucial part of this rebuilding process, according to Muhiddin, is eliminating the reliance on foreign-based players and ensuring that local players are given an equal opportunity to represent the country.
He argues that the national team should not be seen as a platform solely for those plying their trade abroad, but rather a meritocracy where local players can compete on equal footing.
"When the national team is doing well, then the players will get big offers from various teams and this is what we want. This should be the idea our coaches must work with, so that we have more competition between the local-based players and the abroad-based ones. The more we have our players in top clubs there, the more competitive we become as a country," he observed.
These remarks come at a time when the future of the national team is uncertain, with speculations swirling about whether the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) will hire a new coach following the disappointing AFCON qualification bid.
Engin Firat, who led the team during the failed campaign, could be replaced by a new coach under the leadership of FKF President Hussein Mohammed.
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This decision could mark the beginning of a new era for the Harambee Stars one focused on revitalizing the squad and building a team capable of challenging for honors once again.
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