Benni slams Kenyan FA for turning him into ‘illegal immigrant’ – ‘I’ll be facing criminal charges’

Bafana Bafana legend Benni McCarthy has revealed a significant administrative failure by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), stating that neither he nor his foreign technical staff have been issued work permits despite being in their roles for 18 months.

While Kenyans have criticised McCarthy for being absent and not following the local league, McCarthy explained that this bureaucratic lapse is the primary reason he and his team immediately leave the country after national team duties, as they risk being classified as illegal workers.

McCarthy, who has managed the Kenyan national team for a year-and-a-half, broke his silence on the matter, expressing his frustration over the potential legal and personal consequences of working without proper documentation.

The coach emphasised his commitment to respecting the law, explaining that the situation has caused him considerable distress. He stressed that he has always maintained a clean record and refuses to compromise his principles by residing in a country without the legal right to do so.

Benni feeling like ‘illegal immigrant’

“I’ve never been in trouble with the locals. I think I’m a normal citizen, a normal human being. Wherever I go, I try to do the right thing,” McCarthy stated as per Pulse Sports Kenya. “If I need to go visit China, to get into China, you need a visa.

“I go through the proper channels… So when you get employed by an employer from another country… the normal thing is that you need a work permit to work anywhere in the world.”

Drawing on his experiences working in Europe, McCarthy highlighted the anxiety associated with immigration issues, noting the stigma often faced by Africans abroad.

“I see in the world what goes on about immigration and illegals and all this, and it’s horrible because it’s people that look like me that get identified,” he said. “When you are in Europe it’s the worst thing that you can be associated with.”

Unfulfilled promises from Kenyan FA

According to McCarthy, the issue has been raised with the FKF repeatedly over the past 18 months, but their promises to resolve the matter have not materialised.

“A year and a half later… you get tired of saying to someone, ‘please, can we do that? Can we do this?'” he lamented. “The words that come out of your mouth end up falling on deaf ears. And I think that’s where it got to with the federation and us.”

The coach explained that this legal limbo prevents him from scouting local league matches or engaging with the domestic football scene between international breaks.

“People wonder why we are never here. Because I don’t ever want to be questioned by authorities because I’m illegal in someone else’s country,” McCarthy explained. “So, I come here, do my job. When my job is finished, I get out. Because I have no reason to be here… I’m not legal to be here.”

Facing potential criminal liability

McCarthy expressed deep concern over the personal risk he faces, pointing out that he would be held responsible if confronted by law enforcement, not the federation.

“So far, we’ve been very fortunate because it never came to light with the authorities; we were flying under the radar,” he admitted. “But today, if a policeman comes to me and questions me about my legality and my permits here, then I’ll be facing criminal charges, and then it becomes my responsibility because I should have made sure.”

The former AmaZulu FC and Cape Town City coach concluded by voicing his exasperation with the federation’s inaction, noting the apparent lack of urgency from his employers. “It’s a big problem for me. But it looks like it’s not a problem for the people that we work for… I guess it takes a year and a half to work on getting us legal to work in this place.”

These candid remarks surface as the FKF faces intense national scrutiny over its management of team logistics, player allowances, and overall preparedness, particularly with Kenya set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.