The Harambee Stars center back is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury.

Harambee Stars will have to do without the services of Stade Reims defender Joseph Okumu for a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a serious knee injury during the club’s Ligue 2 season opener against Amiens on Monday.

Okumu was forced off the pitch in the first half following a collision. The club released a statement on Thursday confirming the severity of the injury.

“Initial tests have confirmed a serious ligament injury to the left knee. Further examinations will be conducted over the coming days to determine the exact nature of the injury and to decide on the next steps for his treatment. Unfortunately, Joseph will be sidelined for several months,” the statement read.

BREAKING: Benni McCarthy’s Harambee Stars & @StadeDeReims suffer huge blow as Joseph Okumu sustains serious left knee ligament injury. Kenya will host Gambia & Seychelles potentally at Kasarani Stadium in Sept’s 2026 WC qualifiers after #TotalEnergiesCHAN2024.#HarambeeStars pic.twitter.com/oA5gTnUFGH

PAY ATTENTION: Stay updated with the Latest Sports News in Kenya from Pulse Sports

Harambee Stars coach Benni McCarthy has shared why he feels it is still too early to cast aside foreign-based players for CHAN 2024 heroes.

The Kenyan international joined Reims from Gent in July 2023 and quickly established himself as a key figure in the team’s defense. His absence will be a significant blow to manager Karel Geraerts.

During the 2024-2025 season, Okumu made 22 Ligue 1 appearances, scoring one goal, and earned the club’s Player of the Month award in February.

Okumu has not played for Kenya since November 2024, when the side missed out on the chance to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations after losing to Zimbabwe and drawing with Namibia in South Africa.

Siraj Mohammed has credited Benni McCarthy’s tactics for helping 10-man Harambee Stars stay composed in their matches against Angola and Morocco.

Kenya approached their 2026 World Cup qualifiers in March under the guidance of newly appointed head coach McCarthy—just weeks before crucial matches against Gambia and Gabon.

During the selection process, Okumu was unexpectedly left out of the final travelling squad. McCarthy later clarified that this was not tactical but stemmed from “a misunderstanding with the manager, Stanley [Okumu], and the club.”

During those qualifiers, Kenya faced Gambia in an away match on 20 March,which they drew 3-3  followed by a home fixture against Gabon on 23 March, which they won 1-0.

Kenya have been fined 12.8 million by CAF for crowd control issues witnessed at Kasarani Stadium during Harambee Stars’ first three CHAN 2024 games.

The absence of Okumu—and fellow defender Collins Sichenje, sidelined due to injury—forced McCarthy to make last-minute changes to his defensive structure. 

This reshuffle added a layer of complexity to preparations, but McCarthy chose to remain positive, focusing on the commitment of the players in camp