McDonald Mariga: Why FKF Is Recruiting Diaspora Players to Match Uganda, Tanzania Ahead of AFCON 2027

As preparations build toward the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania, the race to strengthen national teams across the region has intensified.

While Kenya hopes to make a strong statement as one of the hosts, Uganda and Tanzania have arguably enjoyed more consistent appearances on the continental stage in recent years. That gap has not gone unnoticed within the leadership of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

FKF vice president McDonald Mariga has now shed light on why the federation has stepped up efforts to recruit professional footballers of Kenyan descent based abroad to represent the Kenya national football team, commonly known as Harambee Stars.

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In recent months, FKF has intensified its campaign to identify and convince players with Kenyan roots who are currently plying their trade in Europe and other professional leagues to switch their international allegiance.

A delegation led by McDonald Mariga, alongside Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, has been engaging several players abroad as part of a broader recruitment drive aimed at strengthening the national squad.

The initiative is targeting more than 15 professional footballers who have yet to feature for Kenya but remain eligible to represent the country.

Speaking during a podcast appearance alongside his younger brother and former Harambee Stars captain Victor Wanyama, McDonald Mariga explained that increasing the number of professional players in the national team setup could significantly improve Kenya’s competitiveness.

“The more we have professional players, the better our national team will be because professionally, you train differently, eat differently and even earn better, which is not the case locally,” Mariga told UpSyd Digital Networks.

According to the former Inter Milan midfielder, the professional environment abroad offers players better training standards, discipline and financial stability, factors that ultimately translate into improved performances at the international level.

McDonald Mariga also pointed to structural and economic factors that have helped neighbouring countries become more competitive in African football.

Uganda and Tanzania have steadily built squads capable of qualifying for major continental competitions, something Kenya has struggled with in recent years.

“We should get to a level where players have their own cars, houses and such and fully depend on football as their source of livelihood instead of looking for alternative sources of income that eventually turn football into an alternative. Until we reach that level, we will struggle. Tanzania and Uganda are on that path, and that is why they compete in almost all AFCON editions,” he added.

His remarks highlight a broader ambition within FKF to professionalise Kenyan football and create conditions that allow players to fully focus on the sport as a career.

McDonald Mariga further revealed that FKF is closely monitoring several players of Kenyan heritage who are currently performing in competitive leagues across Europe.

“We are following up with about 15 professional footballers who have never played for Kenya but are performing at the top level on the international stage, including Linton Maina of 1. FC Köln, who is a very good player,” McDonald Mariga shared.

Beyond Maina, several other players with Kenyan roots have also been identified as potential additions to the national team. These include US-born forward Andre Gitau, who currently features for 1. FSV Mainz 05 II.

English-based talents are also under consideration, including Zak Vyner of Wrexham A.F.C., as well as Tyler Onyango and Ray Roberts from Everton F.C. Another player attracting attention is Zech Obiero, who plays for Tranmere Rovers F.C..

The federation believes that combining locally developed talent with experienced professionals from abroad could help the Harambee Stars close the gap with regional rivals and compete more consistently on the African stage.