By Gilbert Wandera

Harambee Stars players were allowed to check into the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on Monday after Football Kenya officials made full payment for their one-week stay at the facility ahead of next month’s World Cup qualifier against Tunisia.

Sports Stadia Management Board (SSMB) boss Benjamin Sogomo confirmed they received the payment in the morning and will allow Stars to use the facility for now.

"We have received payment from Football Kenya and for now the team will be allowed in as we sort out the remaining debt," he said.

Sogomo had last week threatened to lock out Stars from the facility unless Football Kenya cleared a Sh4million debt and make a deposit for this camping period.

Stunned Football Kenya officials frantically looked for the money on Sunday and on Monday and convinced the board to accept payment for the one week they will be in camp.

Football Kenya Vice-Chairman Erastus Okul said they decided to make the payment because the government declined to pick up the bill.

"We had no choice but to sort it out because the government which had promised to pay for the team’s accommodation has refused to bail us out," he said.

Six players had arrived in camp by 5pm on Monday to start the one week training. Among those who arrived were Thika United’s David Okello, Wilson Oburu (Sofapaka), Peter Opiyo (Gor), Julius Owino (Gor), Pascal Ochieng (KCB) and James Situma (Sofapaka).

Assistant coach Twahir Muhiddin said they were expecting three more players later in the evening. The team was also boosted by the arrival of head coach Antoine Hey.

Hey arrived in the country on Sunday evening from Germany where he has been in the last ten days after Stars lost to Mozambique in Maputo.