Kenya's Harambee Stars Face Rwanda in International Friendly
The Harambee Stars’ October just got heavier.
Kenya’s senior men’s national team will squeeze in a third fixture in the current FIFA international window, with Benni McCarthy’s side set to face Rwanda in an international friendly on Monday, 5 October at Amahoro Stadium in Kigali.
By then, Kenya will already have two competitive games in their legs. The 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying campaign begins at home, with Eritrea visiting Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday, 26 September. From Nairobi, the team heads west for a tricky away assignment against Guinea on Thursday, 1 October.
Only after that will they turn to Rwanda.
A three-game block in just over a week. It’s exactly the kind of stretch McCarthy wants as he shapes a squad for a long AFCON road.
Rwanda test caps intense three-week run
The Rwanda fixture is more than a simple tune-up. It offers McCarthy another look at his options under match pressure, away from home, in a stadium that can get loud quickly.
Rwanda, too, will be battle-hardened by the time the ball is rolled out in Kigali. The Amavubi host Liberia on Friday, 25 September in AFCON qualifying, then travel to face 2026 FIFA World Cup debutants Cape Verde. Their meeting with Kenya will close out their own three-week international block.
For both teams, it’s a final examination before players return to their clubs.
Camp opens, competition for places begins
Harambee Stars reported to camp on Tuesday morning, opening preparations for what will be one of the busiest windows in recent memory. McCarthy has only a few days to drill his ideas before Eritrea arrive in Nairobi, but the schedule leaves little room for easing in.
The group has a fresh edge.
Defensively, there are notable returns. Hannif Wesonga is back in the fold, as is Vincent Harper, while Amos Wanjala has earned a call-up. Their presence adds competition around the established names: Michael Kibagwe, Rooney Onyango, Stanley Wilson, Abud Omar, Frank Odhiambo and Harper himself.
In goal, Byrne Omondi (Gor Mahia), Faruk Shikhalo (Nairobi United) and Brian Bwire (Tusker) will battle for the gloves.
New faces, big names and a captain back from injury
Up the pitch, McCarthy has blended promise with proven quality.
In midfield, Manzur Okwaro (Stade Reims), Timothy Ouma (Charlton Athletic), Chris Erambo (Tusker), Duke Abuya (Young Africans) and Marvin Nabwire (Power Dynamos) form the core tasked with controlling games in Nairobi, Conakry and Kigali.
The forward line carries both intrigue and firepower. Gor Mahia’s Shariff Musa has forced his way in off the back of an impressive pre-season, a reward for form that McCarthy clearly doesn’t want to ignore. Mohammed Bajaber (unattached), Ben Stanley (Gor Mahia), Job Ochieng (Real Sociedad), Micah Obiero (Carlisle United) and Ryan Ogam (RFC Liège) deepen the attacking pool.
Then there is the new spark.
Young winger Javan Ochieng of Hickory FC has received a first senior call-up and will chase his debut under the glare of competitive qualifiers and a high-tempo friendly. For a player at the start of his international story, there are few harsher but better proving grounds.
At the other end of the experience scale, captain Michael Olunga returns after injury, restoring a focal point that Kenya simply lacked without him. His presence changes the way the team can attack. It also changes the way opponents defend.
Three games. One window. A refreshed squad, a returning captain, and a rising crop of hopefuls.
By the time the final whistle blows in Kigali, McCarthy will know a lot more about who he can trust for the long AFCON journey ahead.
