Ruto Pledges Ksh2.5 Million Reward for Each Harambee Stars Player if They Defeat Zambia
Harambee Stars players could be in for bigger rewards in the coming days, after President William Ruto announced that he would gift each player Ksh2.5 million if they manage to beat Zambia in their last Group A match of the African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).
The president made the pledge on Monday, August 11, during a meeting with the team at the Pullman Hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi. This meeting came just a day after Kenya’s remarkable 1-0 victory over Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Sunday.
Initially, President Ruto had promised to give every player Ksh1 million for each group stage match. However, with the final group fixture against Zambia being a crucial one, he decided to raise the stakes significantly.
Ruto also revealed that if Harambee Stars advance to the quarter-finals and win their match, each player will receive Ksh1 million along with an affordable housing unit from the government. “The Harambee Stars are proof of what unity can achieve.
They have brought Kenyans together, and we are now seeing the positive results. We are praying for you and firmly believe that winning CHAN this year is within our grasp,” the president said.
Following their earlier 1-0 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), team captain Faruk Shikhalo and other players appealed to the president to consider them for the government’s affordable housing programme.
In response, Ruto assured the players that plans would be made to ensure they benefit from the housing scheme.
Kenya’s performance in CHAN 2024 has been a surprise to many. Initially tipped to struggle in what was considered a tough group, the co-hosts—alongside Uganda and Tanzania—have defied expectations.
They began with a hard-fought win over the DRC, followed it up with a determined draw against Angola, and then stunned top-ranked Morocco with a 1-0 win despite playing with 10 men for much of the match.
Ryan Wesley Ogam scored the decisive goal that sealed one of the team’s most memorable victories in recent years.
From their first three matches alone, factoring in Ruto’s earlier pledge, each player has already earned Ksh2.5 million. Kenya currently sits at the top of Group A with seven points from three games, making them strong favourites to reach the quarter-finals. While Morocco and Angola still have mathematical chances of overtaking Kenya, it would require an unlikely sequence of results.
There is also a possibility that Kenya could face neighbours Tanzania in the last eight. The Taifa Stars have already secured their place in the quarter-finals after a flawless run in Group B, winning all three of their matches.
If this cross-border clash happens, it could become one of the most anticipated matches of the tournament, with both teams enjoying strong form and passionate fan support.
For now, Harambee Stars’ focus remains on Zambia—knowing that victory will not only secure top spot in the group but also earn each player a life-changing Ksh2.5 million bonus.
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