The announcement of the final Harambee Stars squad for the upcoming FIFA Series tournament in Kigali, Rwanda has sparked lively debate among Kenyan football fans, with the selection by head coach Benni McCarthy drawing both praise and criticism across the country.
The South African tactician unveiled a 23-man squad that leans heavily on foreign-based talent, with 16 players drawn from clubs abroad and only seven featuring from the domestic league. Among the locally based players, Gor Mahia contributes the largest share with four players, while Kenya Police FC has two representatives and Tusker FC one.
While the announcement was expected ahead of the FIFA Series tournament set to take place in Kigali, the choices immediately ignited discussions on social media, with supporters questioning whether some of the inclusions and exclusions were based purely on current form.
One of the biggest talking points has been the absence of Moses Shumah, who has been in sensational form for Power Dynamos FC in the Zambia Super League. The Kenyan striker currently leads the scoring charts with 14 goals and has been one of the league’s standout performers. In recent weeks, Shumah has been particularly lethal, scoring seven goals in his last three matches while also collecting three consecutive Man of the Match awards. His omission has therefore puzzled many supporters who expected his prolific run to earn him a national team call-up.
Another name missing from the squad that has raised eyebrows is Joe Waithira, popularly known as “King Joe.” The Murang’a SEAL captain has been enjoying an outstanding campaign in the SportPesa Premier League, where he currently tops the scoring charts with 15 goals. The forward also enjoyed a productive February, netting four times in five matches, further strengthening his case for a national team return.
The exclusion of Waithira has even drawn reaction from former Harambee Stars captain Edward Karanja, who urged the striker to remain focused despite the setback. “My advice to Joe is to keep the focus and continue scoring goals. The doors will open,” Karanja said.
While some omissions have sparked debate, certain selections have also raised questions. Midfielder William Lenkupae has been included despite not featuring in any competitive match this year. His last appearance came last season with Finnish side Vaasan Palloseura in the Veikkausliiga. Lenkupae is currently unattached after leaving the club, making his call-up a surprising development for many observers.
Similarly, forward Mohammed Bajaber has earned a place in the squad despite limited game time for Simba SC this season. Bajaber’s only competitive appearance came on January 18 against Mtibwa Sugar FC, where he lasted just 12 minutes before being withdrawn due to injury.
Another selection that has attracted attention is that of striker Ryan Ogam, who joined Wolfsberger AC in September 2025. Since his move to Austria, Ogam has only managed three competitive appearances , a brief cameo in the league, one domestic cup match, and a game for the club’s reserve side. Concerns over his fitness and match sharpness have therefore become part of the broader debate surrounding the squad.
Amid the controversy, one inclusion has been widely welcomed by fans. Defender Frank Odhiambo has earned a return to the national team after impressive performances for Gor Mahia since rejoining the club earlier this year. Odhiambo returned to Kenya in January 2026 after ending his stint with Swedish side Djurgårdens IF. The defender had originally left Gor Mahia in 2022 on a 5-year deal but struggled to establish himself in Sweden, spending time on loan at clubs such as IFK Haninge, Vasalunds IF, AFC Eskilstuna and IF Karlstad.
His strong displays since returning to the local league appear to have convinced McCarthy that he deserves another opportunity with the national team.
As the debate continues among supporters and analysts, the focus will soon shift to the pitch when Harambee Stars travel to Rwanda for the FIFA Series tournament. The competition is designed to give national teams structured international friendlies against opponents from different continents, offering coaches an opportunity to test new combinations and assess players.
For McCarthy, the tournament will provide another chance to evaluate his squad and refine his plans for the future of the national team even as fans continue to scrutinize every name on the team sheet.
Full Squad:
