FIFA RANKING: 104

GOVERNING BODY:-

Football Kenya Federation (FKF)

HOME STADIUMS:-

Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi

Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani

CAPTAIN:-

Victor Wanyama

COACH:-

Jacob Mulee

MOST CAPPED PLAYER:-

Mike Origi (120 caps)

TOP SCORER:-

Dennis Oliech (34 goals)

STAR PLAYERS:-

Victor Wanyama, David Owino, Teddy Akumu

NICKNAME:-

Harambee Stars

RIVALS:-

Tanzania

Uganda

AFRICA CUP OF NATIONS (AFCON):-

Appearances: 6

Best Result: Group stages (1972, 1988, 1990, 1992, 2004, 2019)

The Kenya national football team represents Kenya in international football. It is controlled by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), and the nation competes under the CAF and FIFA. The FKF was founded in 1946 and the country gained FIFA affiliation in 1960.

Kenya is a part of the Council for East and Central Africa Football Associations (CECAFA). CECAFA is the oldest sub-regional football association in Africa. Kenya was also a founding member of the CECAFA in 1973.

The Harambee Stars have failed to qualify for the FIFA World Cup so far. However, they have qualified for 6 AFCON tournaments but have failed to make it to the knockout stages on all those occasions.

It took 15 years to qualify for the AFCON in 2019, with their last success coming back in 2004. Current head coach, Jacob “Ghost” Mulee is in charge of the Kenyan football team for the 4th time. His previous stints came in 2003-04, 2007-08 and 2010!

Kenya is captained by Victor Wanyama who has played football at the highest level. He was a regular starter for English Premier League side Southampton before moving to Tottenham Hotspur where he also played in the UEFA Champions League with the North London side.

FOOTBALL IN KENYA

Football is the most popular sport in Kenya by far.

The Kenyan Premier League is the top division of domestic football in the country and is the only fully professional league they have.

Kenya has a three-tier league system broken into provincial, county and sub-county leagues to promote clubs into the national leagues.

At the highest level is the fully professional league, of course – Kenyan Premier League. This league features 18 of the best football clubs in the nation with Gor Mahia being the biggest and most successful club.

The club rivalry between Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards is a true spectacle and fascinating to watch.

Bottom-placed teams in the Kenyan Premier League get relegated to the 2nd division known as the National Super League. The winners of this league have the opportunity to play 1st division football.

The third division is called Division One and this is split into 2 zones – Zone A and B.

Division Two is the 4th division of Kenyan football. This is split into 4 zones – Western, Central, Eastern and Northern.

The 5th level of football is where the Regional Leagues are at. The 4 zones (Western, Central, Eastern and Northern) are all sub-divided further into 2 leagues each.

Western Zone – Nyanza League and Western League

Central Zone – Rift Valley League and Central League

Eastern Zone – Nairobi League and Eastern League

Northern Zone – North Eastern League and Coast League

These are again further sub-divided into multiple leagues, one division lower in the 6th division that is called the County Champions League.

Nyanza League – Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kericho, Migori, Nyamira, Turkana League

Western League – Bomet, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nakuru, Samburu, Uasin Gishu League

Rift Valley League – Bungoma, Kajiado, Kisumu, Nandi, Siaya, Vihiga League

Central League – Busia, Kakamega, Laikipia, Narok, Trans-Nzoia, West Pokot League

Nairobi League – Embu, Kilifi, Lamu, Marsabit, Nairobi A., Taita-Taveta League

Eastern League – Garissa, Kirinyaga, Machakos, Meru, Nairobi B., Tana River League

North Eastern League – Isiolo, Kitui, Makueni, Mombasa, Nyandarua, Tharaka-Nithi League

Coast League – Kiambu, Kwale, Mandera, Murang’a, Nyeri, Wajir League

The 7th and the lowest level of Kenyan football consists of the Sub-County Leagues. These clubs are all amateur teams.

BETTING IN KENYA

For everything related to betting in Kenya, visit – https://www.footballbetting.org/kenya-betting/

IS ONLINE GAMBLING LEGAL IN KENYA?

Yes. The Betting Lotteries and Gaming Act (1966) established the Betting Control and Licensing Board in Kenya. This Board has been given the authority to issue licenses to sportsbooks in the country. If any sportsbook whether online or brick and mortar, must be licensed to function legally.

IS IT SAFE TO BET ONLINE IN KENYA?

Yes, Kenya has made sports betting legal since 1966 and online betting started in the country in 2014. It is regulated by the Betting Control and Licensing Board so bettors need to make sure that they create online accounts with officially licensed players only.

HOW DO DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS WORK IN KENYA FOR ONLINE BETTING?

Kenya has many online betting platforms available so payment systems vary from site to site.

Most Kenyan websites have set up M-Pesa – a mobile-based money transfer service. All that users need to do is create an account with M-Pesa, deposit funds into the account and then load that into their sportsbook account/wallet.

Withdrawals are as easy as deposits. Players can request for withdrawals with the click of a button and select to leave the balance in their bank account or transfer it elsewhere.

Visa and MasterCard are very popular for global websites that are accessible in Kenya. E-wallets like Neteller and Skrill function like M-Pesa and are widely accepted as well. For large amounts of deposits that may exceed the credit card limits, bank transfers are also available.

Even pre-paid credit and debit card payment options are available on several online sports betting platforms.

IS MOBILE BETTING AVAILABLE IN KENYA?

Almost every sportsbook in the country is mobile-friendly. The Kenyan betting market is constantly growing and expanding so companies are heavily investing in making applications and websites as advanced and user-friendly as possible for a pleasant, safe, and secure online betting experience for its customers.

WHICH ARE THE POPULAR SPORTS FOR BETTING IN KENYA?

Football (soccer) is the biggest sport in Kenya. Kenyans love European football and it is the biggest revenue source in the country from sports betting. The English Premier League, Spanish La Liga and UEFA Champions League are the popular competitions.

Kenyans love cricket, rugby and boxing too. Surprisingly, e-sports betting has become a craze in the nation over the past few years.

ARE WINNINGS FROM BETTING TAXABLE?

Yes, winnings are taxable but it is not a very high percentage of your winnings.

IS THE SPORTS BETTING MARKET FAIRLY REGULATED IN KENYA?

Yes, there is nothing to be worried about as online betting platforms and sportsbooks have to be registered and licensed by the Betting Control and Licensing Board to provide betting services.