Harambee Stars midfielder Boniface Muchiri describes his mother, Mildred Akinyi, as a pillar of support throughout his life and football career.
Not only did Akinyi ensure that Muchiri had everything he needed while growing up, she also supported his passion for football by buying him boots and balls.
She has offered words of encouragement before and after matches since Muchiri was young, and this did not start when he was called up to the national team.
She took up the habit when Muchiri was still playing for lowly teams in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.
Harambee Stars Bonface Muchiri work-out during their training session for Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) on July 16, 2025 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani Annexe ground.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
Now with a Sh5 million windfall from President William Ruto following Kenya’s good run in 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan), the speedy winger who is a career soldier plans to honour her mother in a special way – by building her a decent house at their rural home in Amagoro Town in Teso North, Busia County.
“Before I do anything with the money, my plan is to build a decent house for my mother,” Muchiri said on the sidelines of a luncheon hosted in the team’s honour by President William Ruto on Thursday at State House, Nairobi.
Muchiri’s impressive performances at the 2024 African Nations Championship (Chan) have earned him a promotion from the rank of Senior Private to Corporal in the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) on Wednesday.
Two acts of support for his football career by his mother, dating back 13 years, have remained etched in his memory.
First, she bought him a ball when he joined St Mary’s Kibabii Boys High School in 2012. Then, a year later, when he joined Form Two, she bought him playing boots.
Now, he wants to give back to her.
Without divulging too many details, Muchiri says he will build his mother a two-bedroom house that is “more decent than the one she currently lives in”.
“She sacrificed a lot for me and now I just want to give her the best by ensuring she has a good shelter,” the 29-year-old, who captains Kenya Premier League side Ulinzi Stars, said.
President Ruto rewarded each Harambee Stars squad member who featured in the 2024 CHAN tournament with Sh5 million.
Bonface Muchiri (second from right) is being bestowed with the rank of Senior Private to Corporal by his seniors at Kenya Defence Forces in Nairobi on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool | Nation
The Head of State promised to reward each player with Sh1 million for every victory and Sh500,000 for every draw.
Ahead of Kenya’s final group match against Zambia, President Ruto increased the stakes by offering each player Sh2.5 million if they won the match. Kenya stunned heavyweights Morocco, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia with an identical 1–0 victory. Harambee Stars then drew 1-1 with Angola.
In a post on their Facebook page on Wednesday, the KDF announced that Muchiri’s promotion recognises his outstanding performance in the tournament, which concludes on Saturday at the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani.
Muchiri, an alumnus of St Mary’s Kibabii Boys High School in Bungoma County, said that the promotion made him feel “valued” in the KDF. He added that he would do his very best, as advised by the Chief of the Defence Forces, General Charles Kahariri, during the promotion.
“For me, it is a reward for a job well done. I have been putting in a lot of effort since I joined Ulinzi Stars,” said Muchiri, who has also played for Tusker, Nzoia Sugar, Sony Sugar and Golden State in the United States of America.
"It's all about consistency and working hard every day to maintain my top form. I pray to God to help me maintain it because the fans expect a lot from me,” added the slender midfielder.
He was one of the stand-out players for Kenya in the Chan tournament, captivating fans with his speed, dangerous crosses, and stunning free kicks. He provided the assist for Ryan Ogam's goal against Zambia and for Alphonce Omija's goal against Madagascar.
Reflecting on his performance in the tournament, Muchiri said he was pleased with his display, but disappointed that the team did not reach the final.
“I am impressed but at the same time sad because we did not manage to qualify for the semi-finals and eventually the final. Nevertheless, we gave our best and ensured the team progressed past the group stage. I am proud of my personal performance and the whole team as well, he continued,” Muchiri, who is the first born in a family of two siblings, said.
He revealed that, during the tournament, she made it a habit to call him after every match to offer encouragement and advice on how he could improve.
“She was calling me after every game. She is so proud of me,” said Muchiri, beaming from ear to ear.
He said that his mother always advised him to control his temper, even when things didn't go his way in matches, so as to avoid being booked.
He said that coach Benni McCarthy is one of the best he has played under and that the South African has helped improve his game by teaching him how to receive the ball and drive it forward quickly.
“When I get the ball, he does not want to see me pass it behind. He has shown me how to position myself on the pitch and how to make sure I have a good first touch. He has advised me to drive the ball with a lot of speed so that I become unpredictable to the opponent,” he noted. What was his greatest takeaway from Chan?
“If you get an opportunity, you should grab it with both hands, because if you don’t, someone else will,” he said.
