According to reports, Kenya Football Association officials are talking to Keshi on the possibility of taking up the job.

"We are in touch with Stephen Keshi and a Briton, Collin Stewart, who are ready for the job.

"But we are leaving our options open," said KFF Secretary General, Dan Omino.

"Keshi is especially more interested in the job and was making enquiries even last week about the possibility of stepping in," he added.

Omino also confirmed that Lama, who was hired last month to guide the team to the 2008 African Nations Cup, had left the job after he missed an ultimatum to return to camp by Monday.

Lama returned to France last week after Kenya lost to Eritrea in their opening qualifier for the 2008 African Nations Cup early this month and threatened not to return if the Kenya football authorities failed to meet his conditions.

"I'm asked to qualify the team for the African Nations' Cup and then the World Cup without having the minimal means required to do so," Lama wrote in a column in French sports weekly L'Equipe Magazine.

According to Omino, Lama requested that the team train in Europe as well as having an 88 million Kenya shilling (US$1.2 million) budget for the team approved where an independent body will be charged to manage it, something that did not go down well with the Kenyan football authorities.

"This was not realistic to us. We can't afford that kind of money here," said Omino.

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