Harambee Starlets Leave for France After Allowance Row Resolved Ahead of WAFCON
By Tobby Kalume, 16th July 2026
The Harambee Starlets have departed for Miramas, France, for a final high-performance training camp ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco after a standoff over unpaid allowances was resolved.
The team’s departure follows the release of KSh20 million by the Ministry of Sports to settle players’ outstanding allowances, ending a protest that had briefly delayed the squad’s travel plans. The players had earlier refused to travel, demanding payment of allowances owed from previous international assignments, including WAFCON qualifiers and friendly matches.
With the financial dispute resolved, the national women’s team is now shifting its full focus to preparations for the continental tournament, where Kenya will be making only its second appearance in WAFCON history after its maiden participation in 2016.
The residential training camp in Miramas has been designed to provide the squad with high-intensity tactical, physical and technical preparations under head coach Beldine Odemba before the tournament begins later this month. The French camp will also allow the team to acclimatize to weather conditions similar to those expected in Morocco.
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, officials expressed confidence that the training camp would help sharpen the players ahead of one of Kenya’s toughest assignments on the continental stage.
Kenya has been drawn in Group A alongside tournament hosts Morocco, Senegal and Algeria, a pool widely regarded as one of the most competitive groups in the championship.
The Starlets will be targeting a place in the knockout rounds, with the Football Kenya Federation and the technical bench expressing ambitions of reaching at least the semi-finals. Such a finish would significantly strengthen Kenya’s chances of qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time.
Captain Mwanahalima “Dogo” Adam is expected to lead the squad during the tournament, alongside a blend of experienced internationals and emerging young talent who guided Kenya through the qualification campaign.
The resolution of the allowance dispute has been welcomed by players and stakeholders, who said settling the issue before departure allows the team to concentrate fully on football without off-field distractions.
WAFCON 2026 will run from July 26 to August 16 in Morocco, bringing together Africa’s top women’s national teams in a competition that also serves as a pathway to future global tournaments.
