CECAFA faults FKF over Harambee Stars’ late withdrawal
By Faith Lagat, July 22, 2025The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) has faulted the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for its last-minute decision to pull the Harambee Stars out of the CECAFA Four Nations Tournament.
The withdrawal, announced on July 21, 2025, came just hours before kickoff at Karatu Stadium in Tanzania, sparking friction between the regional football body and Kenya’s governing federation.
In a strongly worded statement, CECAFA expressed deep frustration, terming Kenya’s abrupt exit as disappointing and unfair.
“The Council of East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA) deeply regrets the decision of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to withdraw the Harambee Stars from the CECAFA Four Nations Tournament. Unfortunately, the decision came on July 21, when all reasonable concerns raised by FKF had been addressed earlier by CECAFA a few hours before kickoff,” read the statement dated July 22, 2025.
Kenya’s demands
CECAFA said it made extensive efforts to meet Kenya’s requests, including moving the team to a hotel of their own choosing, arranging in-board accommodation, and providing meals tailored to dietary preferences. Additionally, organisers installed dedicated internet routers at the hotel for exclusive use by the Kenyan delegation.
“These actions were taken in good faith and with urgency to ensure the Kenyan team would participate,” CECAFA noted.
Uganda and Tanzania, who are also taking part in the competition, arrived in Karatu as scheduled and raised no complaints regarding the facilities. Senegal, the reigning CHAN champions and the fourth participating team, remains en route to Karatu and has confirmed its commitment to the tournament.
Integrity at stake
The regional body has warned that Kenya’s decision undermines the tournament’s objectives, which include preparing CHAN-bound teams ahead of the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN). The event is set to be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to 30.
“CECAFA therefore finds the withdrawal of Kenya to be unfair, especially after extensive efforts were made to meet the Federation’s requests. The sudden nature of the withdrawal compromises the spirit of regional cooperation and affects the integrity of a preparatory tournament designed with the collective interest of CHAN-bound teams in mind,” CECAFA added.
CECAFA also noted that broadcast partner Azam TV had made arrangements to provide match simulation opportunities for the participating teams.
As the tournament proceeds without Kenya, questions remain over FKF’s decision-making process and the wider implications for regional football cohesion ahead of CHAN.