In a powerful display of support and motivation, President William Ruto has promised the national team, Harambee Stars, a staggering KSh600 million if they emerge victorious in the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024.
The President unveiled a multi-tiered reward structure during a breakfast meeting with the team at the Pullman Hotel in Nairobi on Saturday, ahead of their opening match against the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The month-long tournament, which Kenya is co-hosting with Uganda and Tanzania, officially kicks off today in Dar es Salaam.
President Ruto’s pledges include:
- KSh60 million for reaching the quarter-finals.
- KSh70 million for reaching the semi-finals.
- KSh90 million for qualifying for the finals.
- A grand prize of KSh600 million for winning the tournament.
In addition to these collective prizes, the President also promised individual incentives, with each player set to receive KSh1 million for every game they win and KSh500,000 for every draw. “Guys, it cannot get better than this. We have tripled the rewards so that everyone does their best,” he said, galvanizing the team.
The President’s message went beyond financial incentives, as he called on all Kenyans to rally behind the team. He urged every citizen to make Harambee Stars their “political party” for the duration of the tournament, with the slogan “Stars Must Win.”
“Let us set aside all other political parties; our party this month is Harambee Stars,” he declared.
President Ruto underscored the historic significance of the tournament, noting that this is the first time Kenya is hosting CHAN.
He expressed his hope that the team would make history not just by hosting, but by winning the tournament on home soil.
“This is a very historic moment for Kenya… We want to make it double historic. We want to make it not just the first time we are hosting CHAN but to also be the first time that we win,” he concluded.
