The former South African international has signed a two-year contract, which will see him lead the Harambee Stars through to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament co-hosted by Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
McCarthy, 47, takes over from interim coach Francis Kimanzi, who stepped in after Turkish coach Engin Firat’s departure at the end of last year.
His initial challenges will come in the form of World Cup qualifier matches against The Gambia and Gabon later this month.
"Participating in the World Cup is one of the most special feelings in the world, and I want to give our players that opportunity," McCarthy stated in an interview. "With the right mindset, dedication from the players, and a willingness to learn and give everything they've got, I believe we can still qualify for the World Cup and surprise a lot of people."