Harambee Stars players and technical staff are laughing all the way to the bank after defeating the Democratic Republic of Congo 1-0 in their first match of 2024 African Nations Championships (Chan).
This is after President William Ruto made good his promise to reward the players and members of the team’s technical bench with Sh1 million.
Gor Mahia midfielder Austin Odhiambo scored Kenya’s winning goal against the two-time Chan champions DR Congo at the stroke of halftime, hence guaranteeing each person in Harambee Stars’ 42-member squad Sh1 million for winning the match as President William Ruto had promised them.
Harambee Stars celebrate after their 1-0 win during their Chan match against DR Congo at Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani on August 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Hours later, the players’ bank accounts smiled back at them after State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed confirmed that the government has disbursed winning bonuses totaling Sh42 million to the squad's 27 players and 15 technical bench officials.
“Sports CS Salim Mvurya facilitated the disbursement of the funds to the Harambee Stars squad on behalf of the President. You can confirm with the players,” a confident Mohamed told the Nation before later issuing a statement on Twitter (X) to notify the public of the same.
“President William Ruto has fulfilled his commitment to pay KSh1 million each to all 27 Harambee Stars players and 15 members of the technical bench, a total of KSh42 million, following the national team's 1-0 win over the DRC on Sunday. Sports ministry officials led by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya delivered the funds, and a similar reward awaits the team after Thursday’s game against Angola,” Mohamed published on Twitter (X).
The disbursement follows President Ruto visiting the Harambee Stars dressing room after the match against DR Congo to congratulate them and assure them that they will receive their winning bonuses the following day. He also instructed FKF President Hussein Mohammed to follow up with his office on Monday morning over the disbursement of the funds.
Harambee Stars players celebrate Austine Odhiambo's goal against the Democratic Republic of Congo in a Group 'A' in the 2024 African Nations Championship at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani in Nairobi on August 3, 2025.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Ruto’s commitment was followed by FKF CEO Harold Ndege working late into the night to compile the bank details of members of Harambee Stars squad to facilitate the disbursement of the funds on Monday.
“I shared the bank details of members of the Harambee Stars squad late on Sunday night with FKF President,” Ndege told the Daily Nation when reached for comment on status update to the process early on Saturday afternoon.
“As we speak, the FKF President is at Sports CS Mvurya’s office in Talanta Plaza to facilitate the process,” Ndege added.
Following the disbursement, the Harambee Stars players now have over Sh560 million to play for in accordance with the bonus payment structure that the President announced to them on Saturday morning during a meeting held at Pullman Hotel.
Ruto promises Harambee Stars Sh600m if they win 2024 Chan
