Harambee Stars fans planning to travel to Malawi to support the national team in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier matches have been left stranded after their state-sponsored bus trip was indefinitely suspended.
The Kenya Football Fans Federation (KEFOFA) had organized the trip to cheer the Harambee Stars in their upcoming games against Burundi on June 7 and Ivory Coast on June 11.
The journey, a demanding 32-hour road trip, was scheduled to commence early Tuesday morning. Fans from across the country had made extensive preparations, hoping to witness the Harambee Stars’ bid for their first-ever World Cup qualification. The planned route included a stopover in Dodoma, Tanzania, before reaching Lilongwe, Malawi.
However, on Monday evening, CEO Shem Okotta announced the trip’s indefinite suspension. Trade Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria suggested using National Youth Service buses instead, leading to further confusion and frustration among the fans.
One fan, speaking to Pulse Sports anonymously, expressed his disappointment: “We have come from remote areas. I came with a friend from Kajiado to Nairobi, and we even booked rooms in Nairobi hoping to embark on the journey on Tuesday. For one reason or another, it did not work.”
KEFOFA president Francis Liboyi called for resilience and better organizational efforts, questioning CS Kuria’s commitment to his promise. Former Gor Mahia official Sally Bolo emphasized the need for improved planning to avoid such disruptions in the future.
Liboyi encouraged fans to register with the federation to strengthen their support system and improve future planning.
