This archive report was first published on 14 November 2019.
Kenya's football team Harambee Stars is facing a crisis in Egypt ahead of a crucial 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the hosts. The team's accommodation costs have not been paid, putting them at risk of being kicked out of their hotel just hours before the match.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has blamed the Ministry of Sports for failing to release the funds, with CEO Barry Otieno stating that the team is on the verge of being evicted from their hotel in Egypt. Otieno claimed that Ministry officials had promised to settle the payment since Friday, but this has not happened.
However, the Ministry of Sports has denied the allegations, with Principal Secretary Kirimi Kibera accusing the FKF of mismanaging the accommodation budget. Kibera stated that the FKF is asking for Sh.4.2 million, which is higher than the allocated Sh.2.5 million, and that they need a proper invoice with banking information before making the payment.
The feud between the Ministry of Sports and the FKF has been ongoing for weeks, with both parties trading accusations and counter-accusations. The situation has put the players and the team's technical staff in a difficult position, with the team's coach Francis Kimanzi lamenting the longer route they had to take to travel to Egypt.
The match against the Pharaohs is scheduled to take place in Alexandria on Thursday, and it remains to be seen whether the team will be able to overcome their accommodation crisis and focus on the game.
