Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy has named a 24-man squad for next month’s international friendlies against Kyrgyzstan and Pakistan on 3rd and 6th June 2026 respectively, with several emerging stars earning their first senior national team call-ups.
The squad reflects McCarthy’s continued efforts to build depth within the national team setup by combining experienced internationals with a new generation of talent, including a growing number of Kenyan players developed abroad.
Among the headline inclusions is Dutch-based goalkeeper Caleb Kramer, who receives his maiden senior call-up after impressive performances in Europe.
Also earning a place in the squad is defender Deon Woodman, the 23-year-old Wealdstone FC centre-back who previously progressed through the Crystal Palace academy system in England.
Woodman is joined by his Wealdstone teammate Micah Obonyo Obiero, whose strong campaign in the National League has not gone unnoticed. The forward has enjoyed a productive season in front of goal, netting 14 times to cement his place among the exciting attacking options available to McCarthy.
Another new face in the squad is highly-rated defender Sydney Agina of Stoke City. The 18-year-old, born in England to Kenyan parents, has risen through the ranks at the EFL Championship club and is viewed as one of the promising young defenders eligible to represent Kenya.
Teenage winger Sammy Henia-Kamau also earns a breakthrough senior selection following rapid progress in England. The 19-year-old currently features for Hull City’s Under-21 side after joining the club in July 2025 following a successful trial period. Before moving to Hull, Henia-Kamau developed at Jersey Bulls FC and later secured a scholarship and his first professional contract with Swansea City in 2023.
McCarthy’s latest squad selection signals a clear focus on the future as Kenya continues preparations for upcoming competitive assignments. The inclusion of young diaspora players highlights the federation’s efforts to strengthen the national team with talent from across the globe.
The Harambee Stars are scheduled to travel to Bishkek, where they will first face Kyrgyzstan before taking on Pakistan at the same venue three days later.
The friendlies are expected to provide McCarthy with an important opportunity to assess new combinations, test emerging players, and further shape his squad ahead of future international competitions.
Full squad.
