Harambee Starlets have started preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) with a mini-camp for locally-based players set to kickoff on February 1 and will run until February.
The intensive week-long session will serve as a crucial scouting period for domestic talent capable of bolstering the squad ahead of the country’s second appearance at the continental showpiece.
Players who impress during this window will be integrated into the main residential camp starting on February 15, where they will join foreign-based starlets.
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Harambee Starlets start WAFCON preparations
The twenty three player squad features a blend of experience as well as emerging stars. Regulars Annedy Kundu,Faith Mboya and Medina Abubakar headline the team.
It also marks a return to the senior national team for experienced midfielder Lorna Nyarinda who has since rediscovered her form at Kenya Police Bullets after a troubled period at Albanian Club FK Apollonia.
Kayole Starlets duo of Linda Kihara and Euphrasier Shilwatso have also earned positions in the provisional squad.
Kihara is enjoying her best season in the top flight with seven goals after twelve matches while Shilwatso has been an important member of the Kayole based side due to her versatility and ability to play in different positions.
The team also sees Kibera Soccer Women FC forward Anne Arusi who has majorly represented the country in under twenty competitions in the past promoted to the main fold.
This preparation comes on the heels of the official tournament draw held in Rabat on January 15, which saw Kenya placed in a daunting Group A.
The Starlets are set to face hosts Morocco, West African powerhouses Senegal and Algeria in what has already been dubbed the Group of Death.
Only the top two teams from each group will advance to the quarter-finals.
The stakes are high for the WAFCON 2026, which runs from March 17 to April 3. The competition will serve as the official qualifying pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with all four semi-finalists earning an automatic ticket to the global stage.
Harambee Starlets Full Squad
Goalkeepers
Annedy Kundu (Kenya Police Bullets), Vivian Shiyonzo (Kibera Soccer Women), Juliet Adhiambo (Trinity Starlets)
Defenders
Mary Majeso (Kibera Soccer Women), Ruth Khasoha (Vihiga Queens), Sheryl Muyera (Zetech Sparks), Diana Shakava (Ulinzi Starlets), Elizabeth Muteshi (Trinity Starlets) Mercyline Mejor(Trinity Starlets), Euphraiser Shilwatso (Kayole Starlet), Mirriam Chelagat (Bungoma Queens),
Midfielders
Medina Abubakar (Kenya Police Bullets), Lorna Nyabuto (Kenya Police Bullets), Providence Mukalo (Vihiga Queens), Centrine Ngasi (Trinity Starlets) Lucy Nato (Ulinzi Starlets)
Forwards
Anna Arusi (Kibera Soccer Women), Faith Mboya (kenya police ), Linda Kihara (Kayole Starlet), Shaline Nambengele (Ulinzi Starlets), Catherine Khaemba (Bungoma Queens), Purity Akinyi (Shabana Starlets), Airin Madalina (Vihiga Queens).