The South African has agreed to a two-year contract that would see him guide the Harambee Stars to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda will co-host on East African soil.
After Turkish coach Engin Firat resigned at the end of last year, McCarthy, 47, took over as interim coach from Francis Kimanzi.
His first matches will be against Gabon at home and away in The Gambia during this month's World Cup qualifiers.
McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa, "I want to give them that because it's one of the most special feelings in the world to be a part of the World Cup."
"I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying for the World Cup if the players have the correct attitude, are dedicated, and are willing to learn and give it their all for the course."
With five points from four games, Kenya is now five points behind leaders Ivory Coast in Group F, ranking fourth out of six teams.
McCarthy told BBC Sport Africa, "I want to give them that because it's one of the most special feelings in the world to be a part of the World Cup."
"I think we can surprise a lot of people by still qualifying for the World Cup if the players have the correct attitude, are dedicated, and are willing to learn and give it their all for the course."
With five points from four games, Kenya is now five points behind leaders Ivory Coast in Group F, ranking fourth out of six teams.
In the USA, Canada, and Mexico, only the group winners are automatically eligible to compete. Through the playoffs, the top four runners-up from each of the nine groups will have another shot.
McCarthy, the all-time leading scorer for South Africa, played for his country in the World Cups in 1998 and 2002, but Kenya has never made it to the tournament.
Collaborating with Ten Hag and Mourinho
After establishing a prosperous playing career in Europe, McCarthy is one of the most recognizable figures in African football.
Before doing it again in Portugal with Jose Mourinho's Porto, he won the league and cup titles in the Netherlands with Ajax. He also added the 2004 Champions League title to his collection of trophies.
After that, the former striker played in the Premier League for five years with West Ham and Blackburn Rovers before returning to South Africa to play for the Orlando Pirates.
Before becoming the head coach of Cape Town City and AmaZulu in his native country, he started his coaching career as an assistant with the Belgian team Sint-Truiden.
McCarthy, the all-time leading scorer for South Africa, played for his country in the World Cups in 1998 and 2002, but Kenya has never made it to the tournament.
Collaborating with Ten Hag and Mourinho
Before doing it again in Portugal with Jose Mourinho's Porto, he won the league and cup titles in the Netherlands with Ajax. He also added the 2004 Champions League title to his collection of trophies.
After that, the former striker played in the Premier League for five years with West Ham and Blackburn Rovers before returning to South Africa to play for the Orlando Pirates.
Before becoming the head coach of Cape Town City and AmaZulu in his native country, he started his coaching career as an assistant with the Belgian team Sint-Truiden.
He most recently played for Manchester United as a member of Erik ten Hag's backroom staff.
Regarding his tenure at Old Trafford, he remarked, "I was given an incredible opportunity to go work with one of the biggest and best clubs in the world."
"I simply thought that this was the appropriate moment for me to continue doing what I enjoy most, which is managing and assisting players in their development.
"I thought there was no better way to give back to the continent that has given me everything than to coach Kenya when this opportunity arose."
"A remarkable repeat winner"
Regarding his tenure at Old Trafford, he remarked, "I was given an incredible opportunity to go work with one of the biggest and best clubs in the world."
"I simply thought that this was the appropriate moment for me to continue doing what I enjoy most, which is managing and assisting players in their development.
"I thought there was no better way to give back to the continent that has given me everything than to coach Kenya when this opportunity arose."
"A remarkable repeat winner"
Kenya was suspended from international football as recently as 2022 when the national football federation (FKF) was dissolved by the country's sports minister due to suspected financial fraud.
However, the FKF is currently run by a new administration after recent elections, and McDonald Mariga, a former midfielder for Inter Milan, is serving as its vice president.
The organization, which will serve as co-host for this year's postponed African Nations Championship (CHAN), Africa's international championship for domestic players, is demonstrating its intent with McCarthy's hiring.
McCarthy, who will also be in charge of that team, has characterized himself as "an exceptional serial winner" who "hates losing" and is promising Kenyans a "hard-working" mindset.
He clarified, "It's about giving the fans, the real Kenyan, an identity."
However, the FKF is currently run by a new administration after recent elections, and McDonald Mariga, a former midfielder for Inter Milan, is serving as its vice president.
The organization, which will serve as co-host for this year's postponed African Nations Championship (CHAN), Africa's international championship for domestic players, is demonstrating its intent with McCarthy's hiring.
McCarthy, who will also be in charge of that team, has characterized himself as "an exceptional serial winner" who "hates losing" and is promising Kenyans a "hard-working" mindset.
He clarified, "It's about giving the fans, the real Kenyan, an identity."
"I want to provide the Kenyan people a national squad that reflects their reputation for loyalty and hard work.
Players who work for me must therefore share my passion, hunger, and desire—as if wearing a Kenyan shirt were a death sentence.
"Because when you leave that field, people must be proud of you."
Players who work for me must therefore share my passion, hunger, and desire—as if wearing a Kenyan shirt were a death sentence.
"Because when you leave that field, people must be proud of you."