Former Football Kenya Federation (FKF) presidential aspirant and experienced football administrator Tom Alila has passionately urged the Harambee Stars’ technical bench to embrace younger talent as the nation prepares for the upcoming CHAN 2025 and AFCON 2027 tournaments. Alila, who previously served as a National Executive Council (NEC) member representing Nyanza during Sam Nyamweya’s leadership, believes that introducing a new generation of players is crucial for boosting Kenyan football’s presence on the continental stage.
However, Alila emphasized the need for a thoughtful approach to smoothly integrate these fresh faces into the squad, ensuring Kenya builds a strong team for the two upcoming tournaments.
“The national coach should now focus on young, local players. CHAN is the right platform for them. Players like Olunga have experience, but it’s time to build the next generation. The coach must scout our leagues and give local players a chance,” he stated.
The CHAN tournament, which is exclusive to locally-based players, will begin in August with Kenya co-hosting alongside Uganda and Tanzania. This presents a valuable opportunity for the country to highlight its homegrown talent on a continental platform.
Alila’s views align with the vision of Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy, who expressed his intention to work closely with FKF Premier League coaches and attend the upcoming AFCON U-20 tournament to scout emerging talent.
“I plan to spend a lot of time with the FKF Premier League coaches. They work with the players every day, and we need to collaborate to bring up young talent. I’m planning to attend the African Under-20 Championship to identify players who can strengthen our CHAN squad—even if it means bringing in half or all of the team,” McCarthy had said.
Alila also revived a proposal he made during his FKF presidential campaign: incorporating football development into the school system.
“Our Junior Starlets, many of whom played in the U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, were nurtured in schools,” he pointed out. “That’s why I advocate for school-based football programs. Academies can complement the effort, but schools have the infrastructure and reach.”
Additionally, Alila expressed concern about the decline of community-based clubs in Kenyan football, with the top tier now largely dominated by corporate-backed teams.
“Apart from Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, and maybe Shabana, the rest are mostly corporate teams,” Alila lamented. “That disconnect from the community is why fan support isn’t as strong. We need more community-based clubs to revive that passion.”
Alila also stressed his strong support for local talent, calling for a shift away from an overdependence on foreign players and coaches.
“Why bring in foreign players and coaches when we have talent here? Look at Bajaber Mohammed—just two appearances, and he’s already making an impact. I’m a firm believer in local potential.”
On a positive note, Alila acknowledged the progress made by FKF under its current leadership, particularly in terms of digital innovation.
“The federation is moving in the right direction. E-ticketing is a great innovation, and we’re already seeing better turnout at stadiums,” he said. “Kenyans love football—just look at the attendance during the derby.”
