The government has hired a private jet to transport the Harambee Stars to FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Ababu Namwamba, the Sports Cabinet Secretary, bids farewell to Harambee Stars players at JKIA. The squad will compete in the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers in Gabon and Ivory Coast.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has dispatched Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, aboard a private jet from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on November 15, 2023, to begin their FIFA World Cup 2026 qualification matches.
The fully outfitted squad formed a line on the tarmac shook the CS’s hand, and then boarded the private jet as CS Namwamba and Coach Engin Firat conversed.
CS Namwamba stated in his statement that the government was totally behind Harambee Stars, allowing them to engage in level-building international friendly matches and now allowing them to compete in international competitive matches for the first time in two years.
“The government, through the Ministry of Sports, has fully supported the team with high-level friendly matches, including against World Cup teams Russia, Qatar, and Iran.”
The lads have spent the necessary time in a high-quality residential camp.
The payment of player allowances and technical bench dues has been completed.” We have arranged for a private plane to bring the squad directly to the two critical assignments in Gabon and Côte d’Ivoire, where Seychelles will be hosting their game.”
“I have urged the boys to put their best foot forward for Kenya and have promised handsome cash rewards for every three points they score in these qualifiers.”
Our sympathies and best wishes go out to the guys. “Come on, #HarambeeStars,” shouted CS Namwamba.
Chartering a private jet in Kenya may cost anywhere from $2,000 (Sh 304,000) and $17,000 (Sh 2,585,700) per hour, depending on the size of the aircraft, number of passengers, and distance to be travelled.
Kenya will fight for a place in the 2026 World Cup against Gabon, Ivory Coast, Burundi, Seychelles, and Gambia.
The pool’s victorious team will advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico.
Kenya will play Gabon on November 16, 2023, at Stade de la Renovation de Franceville in Gabon, followed by a match against Seychelles on November 20, 2023, at Stade Felix Houphouet-Boigny in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, at Seychelles’ request.
The squad stated that they were certain that they would win these games.
During the administration of former Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohammed, FIFA prohibited Kenya from competing in competitive international football matches.
The suspension came as a result of the government’s ongoing “interference” in sports affairs, as well as corruption and embezzlement claims at the Sports Kenya Federation during President Nick Mwendwa’s reign.
After being appointed to the Sports docket, CS Namwamba got right to work cleaning up the mess and assuring FIFA, which resulted in the suspension being removed.
Kenya won Qatar 2-1 in Doha, drew 2-2 with Russia in Turkey, and then lost 1-0 to South Sudan and Mauritius in qualifying matches.
