Obiero’s siblings and Kenyan internationals who have extended stints with European clubs
By Luke Oluoch, June 15, 2026The English football landscape is set to feature a strong Kenyan presence in the 2026/27 season, with several Harambee Stars prospects officially confirmed as part of their respective clubs’ futures.
English-based Zech Obiero and Micah are among the stars who have recently been retained by their clubs after making their international bows with Harambee Stars.
For national team coach Benni McCarthy, these retentions come at a crucial time. With Kenya preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
FKF has recently been courting players of Kenyan descent in the paid ranks abroad to augment the existing local talent, with the development and stability of these foreign-based players being central to making a winning combination.
The stability provided by these contract renewals offers McCarthy a settled pool of talent to integrate into his tactical setup ahead of the AFCON 2027 qualifiers, which commence in September 2026.
Obiero brothers
Both Micah and Zech Obiero have secured their spots in English football for the upcoming campaign. Micah Obiero, the Wealdstone striker who recently earned his senior international debut, has been retained by the National League club following an impressive 2025/26 campaign where he notched 19 goals across all competitions.
Meanwhile, his brother Zech Obiero, a midfielder with League One side Leyton Orient, has survived a massive squad overhaul, reinforcing his position in the club’s plans for the 2026/27 season.
Deon Woodman
Wealdstone’s retention list also includes defender Dionysus Woodman, who, alongside Micah Obiero, has become a key figure in the Harambee Stars’ defensive and attacking considerations following their June 2026 friendlies against Lesotho.
The centre back was among the standout performers in the friendlies as he got his national bow under McCarthy.
At Slough Town, club captain Henry Ochieng has been retained despite a difficult 2025/26 season that saw him sidelined by a knee injury. Ochieng, a former Watford and Leyton Orient man, remains a vital leader for the Rebels.
Committing to the 2026/27 season is a major boost as he nears a full return to fitness and possibly a return to the national team setup.
AFCON 2027 build-up
While Kenya has already secured automatic qualification for AFCON 2027 as co-hosts of the upcoming Pammoja bid, the upcoming qualification campaign, where the Harambee Stars have been drawn into Group D alongside South Africa, Guinea, and Eritrea, is being viewed as a proper stage for these and other players to demonstrate they deserve places in the final squad.
For players like the Obiero brothers, Ochieng, and Woodman, performing at a high level in the English leagues provides not only the needed exposure but also the physical intensity that could prove pivotal as Kenya’s bid for a historic impact on home soil.