Who was former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Firat

Immediate Former Harambee Stars head coach Engin Fırat has passed on at the age of 55.

According to Lebanese club Nejmeh SC which he recently coached,  Firat reportedly suffered a heart attack at Istanbul Airport while travelling from Beirut to Adana.  

The Turk left his position as Stars head coach in December 2024, after the team's failure to qualify for the 2025 AFCON.  Firat oversaw a 3-year tenure at Stars, having been appointed in 2021.

His time at Stars wasn’t smooth sailing, and he was always on the receiving end of football stakeholders' criticism over his fielding and team selection during tournaments and qualifiers.

Away from the dugout,  Firat, who was assisted by Ken Odhiambo and William Muluya, often spoke openly about the structural difficulties facing Kenyan football, the lack of internationally approved stadiums and disruptions caused by administrative disputes.

He also never spared sports journalists who were schooled on his tactical formations, reasons for calling up certain players and overlooking others, accompanied by statics.

The Turkish coach, whose contract ran until 2026, cited nearly 11 months of unpaid dues totalling over KSh 80 million

Fırat remained a visible and outspoken figure in the national football conversation. His passing now closes a chapter linked to a challenging yet memorable period for Harambee Stars.

The tactician´s record, though, was under heavy scrutiny, with statistics showing he won 7, drew 7 and lost 10 matches in 24 fixtures.

He secured only three victories in competitive matches (CAF or FIFA organised). He beat Rwanda 2-1 before overcoming Seychelles 5-0 in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. He also beat Namibia 2-1 in a 2025 AFCON Qualifier

However, Stars achieved a historic 2-2 draw against Russia in an international friendly on October 16, 2023, in Antalya, at the back of another impressive 2-1 victory over the 2022 World Cup hosts, Qatar, in another international friendly in Doha on September 7, 2023.

For his achievements against Iran, Qatar and Russia, Firat was named the Best Turkish Coach Abroad at the 2023and during the Istanbul ATA Club Award Ceremony.

Until his demise, he worked with Kenyan internationals Austin Odhiambo, Massoud Juma and Anthony Akumu at Lebanese club Nejmeh SC,

FKF president Hussein Mohammed led the Kenyan football fraternity with a condolence message to the family of the late Firat.

"Our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of former Harambee Stars Coach Engin Firat. His contribution to Kenyan football will be fondly remembered. May his soul find eternal peace," Mohammed said on his X handle.