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Kenyan football players plying their trade in foreign leagues have lost respect due to the current football situation in the country, Harambee Stars’ forward Ayub Timbe says.

Kenya is serving an indefinite suspension from world football governing body FIFA because of reported government interference after Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed suspended Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for allegations of misappropriation of funds.

It is unclear when the stalemate will come to a halt with the government’s alleged unwillingness to act on FIFA’s call to reinstate the FKF secretariat in order for the suspension to be lifted.

In an exclusive interview with People Daily Sport, Timbe who is in Kenya for a 10-day holiday says he feels sorry for thousands of young Kenyan footballers who are hopeful of fulfilling their dreams of professional football overseas.

“It is a very sad situation. Can you imagine all these talented players we have in Kenya is like they are now in prison, they are behind bars football wise. A transparent glass wall has been put in front of them shuttering their dreams,” said Timbe.

His sentiments comes in the back drop of latest world ranking by Fifa released on Friday, where Kenya has dropped to position 104.

The 29-year old speedy winger plays for Buriram United in Thailand. He says it is a difficult time to be a Kenyan footballer outside the country or trying to make a career move abroad.

“We are disrespected abroad right now .Almost everyone tells you that there is no football in Kenya.They tell you that you guys have been banned,which football are you talking about. International matches are on, which teams are you guys playing now? They mock you. In fact, even if you are good, they do not expect you to be from Kenya.Most of the people think you are from Ghana, or Nigeria,” Timbe told People Daily Sport.

It is now 118 days since FIFA delivered a painful verdict on Kenya’s football  by slapping the country with a suspension from all football activities.

FIFA president Giani Infantino made the announcment on on 24th of February .

includes Harambee Starlets missing an important CAF Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) against Uganda.

The Women’s team could not take part of the just concluded CECAFA champions that were held in Uganda due to Kenya’s suspension.

Also, the national men’s football team has been locked out of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers and will be in cold until at least for the 2025 qualifiers.

Vihiga Queens and Tusker FC might be  crossing their fingers that Ministry of Sports act accordingly so that the could be allowed to feature in continental football once again of their respective league winning accomplishments.

“There is a lot that need to be done for Kenya’s sports men and women to thrive globally.You can feel like an amateur as player but we should never be amateurs as a country that what make 

us not to go far.We also have talented boxers, tennis players, swimmers,basketball players and so on.They need an environment where their efforts are supported enough for them to do well and to be esteemed.For now when you tell people that you are from Kenya they only know about marathoners until you mention names like Victor Wanyama”.

All eyes will be on CS Amina Mohamed this week, with football stakeholders waiting patiently to see her further action after the tenure of Transition Committee elapsed last week.

The new move should be legally binding in order to resuscitate the local game with urgency.