Nairobi

President William Ruto raised the stakes for Kenya’s national football team, promising each player—and member of the technical bench—KSh 2.5 million if they conquer Zambia in their final group-stage match of CHAN 2024.

Speaking Monday at a gathering in Nairobi, Mr Ruto hailed the Harambee Stars’ recent 1–0 victory over Morocco as a unifying triumph. He assured the team their earlier promise of KSh 1 million for each group-stage win remains valid, but for this high-stakes match, “we are raising the deal.”

He did not stop at immediate rewards. Should Kenya triumph in the quarter-finals, each player will receive another KSh 1 million, plus a two-bedroom home under the government's affordable housing scheme.

The President’s motivation was clear: “The Stars are proof of what unity can achieve… we are all behind you.” His words came amid the team’s growing momentum in the tournament’s early stages.

Kenya, co-hosting the tournament with Uganda and Tanzania, has so far defied expectations. Their campaign began with a win over DR Congo, followed by a draw against Angola, and the stunning victory over Morocco—then Africa’s top-ranked team—despite being reduced to ten men for much of the match.

With seven points from three games, the Stars are comfortably poised atop Group A. A win against Zambia could virtually seal their progress to the quarter-finals, a milestone for the team in any CHAN outing.

These generous pledges have sparked both praise and scrutiny. Supporters see them as fitting rewards for a squad that has lifted national spirits, while critics raise concerns about state spending on incentives not explicitly approved in the budget.

Funding aside, for now, the focus remains fixed on the pitch. If Kenya’s Stars can continue this remarkable run, come Saturday they may not only win—but also reap rewards worthy of their performance.