Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has announced that Harambee Stars coach Engin Firat will not continue in his role following Kenya’s failure to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco.Kenya finished third in Group J, behind Cameroon and Zimbabwe, who secured places in the tournament set to take place from December 2025 to January 2026.##NAJAVA_MECA_8511257##Firat, who led the team to just six points in the group, has faced mounting pressure from fans and football stakeholders, with widespread calls for his dismissal. After Kenya’s final match against Namibia, Firat appeared uncertain about his future, noting that discussions would need to occur.”I spoke with President Nick Mwendwa, and if Doris Petra takes over, we will sit down and plan for next year. We have targets, including hosting a tournament in Nairobi, but it’s all football. We’ll see what happens after the elections. I also have a contract, and that’s a reality,” Firat stated.However, the coach may not have to wait until the FKF elections on December 7 to learn his fate, as the government, which has been paying his salary, confirmed his dismissal. Murkomen, speaking on Wednesday, said the ministry will activate a termination clause in Firat’s contract, which required him to qualify for AFCON to retain his position.Triple nominations for Kenya’s U-17 team at CAF awards”I am aware of the agreement between FKF and the coach, which stipulates that failure to qualify for AFCON would lead to disengagement. Since the ministry funded the contract, we will, given the circumstances of our failure to qualify, implement that part of the agreement and cease providing further resources,” Murkomen explained.He also emphasized that only FKF has the authority to formally fire the coach, as calls for Firat’s dismissal grew louder. “When we failed to qualify for AFCON, many people called for the coach’s sacking. However, they don’t realize that only FKF has the exclusive responsibility to hire and fire the coach,” he said.Kenya’s next major assignment is the CHAN tournament, which kicks off on February 1, 2025.Kenya Police FC hand over team to Odemba after firing entire coaching staff
