Kenya's women footballers have spent years borrowing pitches and scrambling for camps. On Wednesday Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed promised them a home of their own, and set the Harambee Starlets a target that would rewrite Kenyan football history: a place at the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.

"There's nothing really special about the so-called big teams. We just need to put in a little bit more effort, and we will be able to compete with the best," Mohammed said at the launch of the federation's Women's Football Strategy 2026-2029 at the Weston Hotel in Nairobi, as reported by Mozzart Sport.

What the plan promises

The four-year framework is meant to fix the leaks in the talent pipeline between school competitions and senior football, and to grow leagues and grassroots access across the counties. Key commitments reported by The Eastleigh Voice and Mozzart Sport include:

  • A dedicated technical centre for women's national teams, to be built during the current FKF administration's term
  • Upgrading the women's football desk into a fully fledged department reporting directly to the FKF Secretary General
  • An under-15 girls' programme planned to start next year
  • Using FIFA development funding for coach and administrator training, better competitions and youth pathways

"Within this regime's tenure, we are going to build a dedicated technical centre for women, so that the teams don't struggle for places to camp, for coaching, with facilities that we struggle with," Mohammed said. Turning to women's football administrator Neddy Atieno, he added: "We will make your women's desk into a fully fledged department."

Government and FIFA weigh in

Gender, Culture and Children Services Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo called for stronger grassroots programmes in schools and communities and equal access for girls regardless of background or income. She stressed safe training environments, protection from abuse, changing rooms, sanitation and menstrual health support, and asked the private sector and the media to back the women's game.

FIFA expert Tsholo Candy Setlhoko said the strategy should make women's football a core part of Kenyan football development rather than an add-on, but warned that its success will depend on implementation and accountability. The launch also saw 48 women from FKF branches and the National Women's Committee graduate from a three-day FIFA workshop on leadership, governance and resource mobilisation.

The test ahead

The ambition comes at a turbulent time at Kandanda House, where a power struggle over the federation's leadership is heading for a special general meeting. Kenya's youth teams have offered hope, with the Junior Starlets reaching the last 16 of the Under-17 Women's World Cup last month. Whether the Starlets get the camps, coaches and games the plan describes will decide if 2031 is a goal or a slogan.

Photos: FKF via The Eastleigh Voice; FKF via Mozzart Sport. Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.