The Ministry of Sports has confirmed the payment of Harambee Stars players' allowance after the players reportedly boycotted training ahead of the 2027 AFCON qualifier match against Eritrea.In a statement issued on Thursday, September 24, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya said the Ministry has consistently supported Harambee Stars and other national teams by facilitating preparations, travel, accommodation, allowances and technical support during international assignments.According to the Ministry, it had honoured its financial commitments relating to previous Harambee Stars assignments, including allowances linked to the team's engagements in Zambia, South Africa, and Turkey, as well as the Under-20 CECAFA assignment held in Tanzania."We wish to clarify that, as of today, the Ministry has honored 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," the Ministry stated.The Government has also settled outstanding salaries for members of the Harambee Stars technical bench, with payments made both through the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and directly to respective members of the national team.However, the Ministry clarified that payments relating to subsequent assignments may still be pending."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)," it added.The clarification comes amid reports that the Harambee Stars players have boycotted training over unpaid allowances and other grievances.On Wednesday, FKF said it was in communication with the ministry to ensure that all the players' grievances, especially those relating to allowances, are addressed effectively."FKF is in regular communication with the Ministry and continues to work closely with the relevant offices to have these matters addressed," FKF said.However, despite the payments, the players have reportedly refused to train, claiming that the money they received is significantly lower than what they are owed.The players received Ksh62,400 for last November’s assignment in Turkey and a similar amount for the June assignment against Lesotho in South Africa. They, however, claimed that the amount is lower than the six-figure allowances they are accustomed to receiving for national team assignments.Kenya is expected to play against Eritrea in an opening Group D match for the AFCON 2027 qualifiers on Saturday, September 26, at Nyayo Stadium at 4 pm.Despite the fixture being 72 hours away, Harambee Stars players reportedly failed to train for a third day in a row on Thursday, September 24. The AFCON tournament will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from July 2027.
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