Kenya’s national women’s football team, the Harambee Starlets, will return to regional action next week when they compete in the CECAFA Senior Women’s Championship in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) confirmed on Tuesday that the Starlets will join four other East African nations—hosts Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, and Burundi—for the ten-day tournament beginning on 12 June.
The competition, which runs until 22 June, is making a comeback after a three-year break. Organized by CECAFA in partnership with the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF), the tournament is expected to serve as a warm-up for the upcoming Africa Women Cup of Nations (WAFCON), set for Morocco next month.
FKF said the tournament gives the team much-needed game time and exposure ahead of continental challenges.
“The participation of the Harambee Starlets in both the CECAFA tournament and high-level friendlies reflects FKF’s continued commitment to offering the national women’s team quality competitive exposure,” the federation noted in a statement.
The Starlets, currently in Morocco, are set to test their strength against the Atlas Lionesses in a friendly match on Wednesday evening in Tangier. The fixture is expected to help the Kenyan side gauge its readiness for regional competition and beyond.
Mildred Cheche, who has been in charge of the team since last year, will lead the squad in Tanzania. Her appointment marked a shift toward developing homegrown coaching talent in Kenyan women’s football.
Meanwhile, Harambee Stars Hit Injury Setback
Back home, Kenya’s men’s team, the Harambee Stars, have suffered a blow ahead of their own international outings. Mohammed Bajaber, the promising winger from Kenya Police FC, has been ruled out of the upcoming friendly matches against Chad after picking up an injury in training.
Team doctor Wycliffe Makanga confirmed on Tuesday that Bajaber would not travel with the squad to Morocco. No replacement has been named, with 23 players making the trip for the matches set for 7 and 10 June in Marrakech.
Bajaber, 22, has made a quick rise through the ranks. His first call-up came in March, and he caught national attention after scoring a brilliant equaliser in a World Cup qualifier that ended 3–3.
The setback comes just days after veteran midfielder Victor Wanyama—who recently came out of international retirement—opted out of the squad due to personal commitments.
Kenya’s friendlies against Chad are part of the team’s build-up to the African Nations Championship (CHAN), as they work to regain momentum on the international stage.
