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Ruto fulfills Sh35million promise to Harambee Starlets
Harambee Starlets player group at Stade Lat Dior in Thies, Senegal, on October 28, 2025, during their match against Gambia in a 2025 Women's Afcon qualifiers.
What you need to know:
- President Ruto had promised the players a total of Sh10 million if they beat The Gambia in both home and away matches during the qualifying rounds.
- The Head of State closely followed the team’s performance and even video called them to offer encouragement before their matches against Gambia.
Harambee Starlets players received a total of Sh33 million from President William Ruto for qualifying for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) in Morocco. Meanwhile, each of the 14 members of the Starlets’ technical staff received Sh500,000.
The Head of State had promised the players a total of Sh10 million if they beat The Gambia in both home and away matches during the qualifying rounds.
Harambee Starlets players Ruth Ingosi, goalkeeper Lillian Awour and Lorine Ilavonga go for an aerial ball with Gambia's Penda Bah during the first leg match of the final round of 2026 Women Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025.
The money includes Sh1 million for each player for qualifying for the continental tournament. Each player took home a total of Sh1.272 million.
Last month, Kenya beat The Gambia 4-1 on aggregate to advance to the Wafcon for the first time in ten years. The team last participated in the tournament in 2016 in Cameroon.
Harambee Starlets players are welcomed by traditional dancers upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi from Senegal on October 29, 2025.
The Starlets secured a 3-1 win in the first leg at the Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi. Goals from strikers Mwahalima Adam, Fasilah Adhiambo, and Shylene Opisa gave the team a significant advantage going into the second leg of the match in Senegal.
Adam’s lone goal in the 50th minute during the second leg at Stade Lat Dior in Thiès, Senegal, secured Starlets’ qualification.
President Ruto closely followed the team’s performance and even video called them to offer encouragement before their matches against Gambia.
He promised the team cash rewards if they made it to the continental tournament in Morocco.
One of his social media posts reads, “You have made Kenya immensely proud and reaffirmed Kenya’s rise in women’s sports. As you march toward Wafcon, know that the entire nation celebrates you and is behind you. Na kama kawaida, nitacheza kama mimi. Congratulations, Starlets.”
Kenya women's football team coach Beldine Odemba displays her trophy after being named SJAK coach of the month for October on November 6, 2025.
Starlets coach Beldine Odemba said the President’s support contributed to their positive results.
I thank the President of Kenya for the motivation. It truly worked,” Odemba said.
Adam echoed her coach's sentiment.
“Thank you to the President for his motivation. We appreciate it because he has recognised the achievements of girls,” Adams said.
President Ruto similarly rewarded Harambee Stars players for every match won or drawn during the 2024 African Nations Championships (Chan) that was co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania in August.
