The Football Kenya Federation has shown gratitude to the national government for recognising and rewarding the national men’s senior football team, the Harambee Stars players, on Mashujaa Day celebrations held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at Ithookwe Stadium in Kitui.

Taking to X on Tuesday, FKF President Hussein Mohammed described the recognition of national team players led by Abud Omar as a reflection of hard work and dedication exhibited by the players to fly the country’s flag high in international assignments. Also, coach Mildred Cheche from the ladies’ side was feted.

”Grateful to the Government of Kenya for recognising Harambee Stars
players Abud Omar, Ryan Ogam, Alpha Onyango, Byrne Omondi, Team Manager/Data Analyst Nicodemus Kimanthi Musau, and Junior
Harambee Starlets Head Coach Mildred Cheche was a National Hero during the 2025 Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui. Their recognition celebrates excellence, commitment, and the pride they’ve brought to our nation – from the Harambee Stars’ CHAN 2024 campaign to the Junior Starlets’ historic qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup,” Hussein Mohammed said.

Heroes selection

This comes after Harambee Stars led the 31 sports heroes to be honoured in Mashujaa Day celebrations. The National Heroes Council proposed the athletes for national hero status as part of the 180-person list for 2025 on October 20, 2025.

This year’s Mashujaa Day honourees were chosen through a rigorous nationwide nomination and vetting process coordinated by the National Heroes Council in partnership with the Ministry of Interior.

The list drew submissions from county governments, public institutions, civil society, and ordinary citizens, with nominees evaluated on their contributions to Kenya’s unity, progress, and heritage, guided by integrity, impact, and the provisions of the National Heroes Act, 2014, Interior PS Raymond Omollo confirmed.

Meanwhile, Harambee Stars players stole the hearts of local football fans during the recently concluded 2024 African Nations Championship, staged in Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The national football team, though placed in the tough Group A comprising continental giants Morocco, DR Congo, Zambia and Angola, managed to top the group, booking their quarter-final ticket at the tournament, under the tutelage of head coach Benni McCarthy.