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2024 Chan: Ruto raises stakes with Sh600m promise to Harambee Stars players
What you need to know:
- President Ruto also used the occasion to urge Kenyans to rally behind Harambee Stars.
- Harambee Stars will play their first match of the tournament on Sunday against DR Congo.
President William Ruto has raised the stakes for Harambee Stars at just hours before the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) kicks off with a promise of fat bonuses totaling Sh600 million if they win the tournament with a 100 per cent record.
President Ruto made the promise on Saturday morning when he hosted the team for breakfast at Pullman Hotel in Nairobi.
“I am aware that the performance bonus payment plan that had been set by the Sports Cabinet Secretary was to bring your total winnings to Sh200 million. I have decided to triple that figure,” President Ruto told the players.
President William Ruto with Harambee Stars players at their team hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi on August 2, 2025.
He went on to announce the new structure for the team’s performance bonus payments at the tournament to wild applause from the players.
“Guys, it cannot get better than this. Everyone has to do their best now,” the Head of State said.
Kenya is co-hosting the continental tournament alongside Uganda and Tanzania. The tournament begins today in Dar es Salaam with the opening featuring hosts Tanzania against Burkina Faso from 8pm (East African time).
The final match will be played at the revamped Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani on August 30, 2025.
President William Ruto (left) and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya (right) interact with Harambee Stars players at the team's training camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi July 16, 2025.
The President said Harambee Stars players will earn Sh1million each for every match they win during the tournament. A draw will see each player receiving Sh500,000.
Harambee Stars squad comprises 40 players and technical staff. Hence, winning all their matches at the tournament will see the squad earning a total of Sh280million in bonuses.
Further, the players will earn an extra Sh60million for qualifying for the quarterfinals. Should the team reach the semifinals they will receive and additional Sh70million while an appearance at the finals will earn the team a Sh90 million bonus.
Reaching the finals with a 100 per cent record will bring Harambee Stars’ total earning from win and performances bonuses to Sh500 million.
While the President did not disclose the amount they will earn as a bonus for winning the final, it can be deduced that victory in the final will see the squad receive over Sh100 million.
President William Ruto with Harambee Stars players at their team hotel in Upper Hill, Nairobi on August 2, 2025.
“We have a deal,” the President said afterwards while committing Harambee Stars captain Aboud Omar to a pinky-finger promise to seal the agreement.
President Ruto also used the occasion to urge Kenyans to rally behind Harambee Stars.
“Let us set aside all other political parties, our party this month is Harambee Stars,” he said.
“This is a historic moment for Kenya. It is the first time in the history of football that Kenya is hosting Chan and also the first time we must win,” he added.
President WIliam Ruto (left) is welcomed by Harambee Stars head coach Benni McCarthy to the team's training camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi July 16, 2025.
Harambee Stars will play their first match of the tournament on Sunday against the Democratic Republic of Congo in a 3pm kick off.
Kenya, who are in Group A, will then take on Angola (August 7), Morocco (August 10), and Zambia (August 17). All the matches will be played at Moi International Sports Center, Kasarani in Nairobi.
The President’s promise comes a day after the Ministry of Sports and Football Kenya Federation honoured Kenyan football legend at a breakfast meeting.
CS Mvurya promised to involve retired Kenyan players more in promotion of the sport in the country.
Former Tusker and Harambee Stars defender, Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo, who was one of the legends honoured, termed as historic the support Harambee Stars players are receiving from the government.
“The national team is getting the biggest support from the government. The President has attended their training session and even took time to sit down and chat with them. That, to me, is very motivating for the squad,” Omollo said.
