President William Ruto has announced a historic Sh600 million reward package for the Harambee Stars if they win the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), in a bold bid to boost morale ahead of the tournament.
The announcement was made on Saturday during a breakfast meeting at the Pullman Hotel, Upper Hill, Nairobi, just a day before their opening match against the Democratic
Republic of Congo.
Under the new incentive structure, each player will receive Sh1 million for every match won and Sh500,000 for every draw.
The team will
earn Sh60 million if they reach the quarterfinals, Sh70 million for reaching
the semifinals, and a record Sh600 million if they lift the trophy.
In an official communication shared by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), the federation confirmed the reward pledge, reiterating the government's support for the team’s CHAN campaign.
“His Excellency Dr William Samoei Ruto, President of the
Republic of Kenya, visited the Harambee Stars in camp ahead of their #CHAN2024
opener,” the statement read in part.
“He pledged a reward of Sh1 million to each member of the Harambee Stars delegation for every match won at #CHAN2024, and Ksh 500,000 for every draw. Should the team reach the quarterfinals, they will receive Sh60 million; Sh70 million for reaching the semifinals; and Sh600 million should they win the tournament.”
The President was accompanied by Sports CS Salim Mvurya, FKF President Hussein Mohamed, Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi and Local Organising Committee Chairman Nicholas Musonye, among other dignitaries.
The federation added that the President also encouraged the
team and called on Kenyans to show full support.
The generous package, one of the most substantial in Kenyan
football history, signals a new era of government-backed incentives for
national teams.
It comes at a time
when expectations are high, as Kenya also gears up to co-host the 2024 Africa
Cup of Nations (AFCON).
The opening march is being held in Tanzania this Saturday, August
2.
The Kenyan team will play on Sunday at the 60,000-seater Kasarani Stadium, where Harambee Stars will face DRC in what is expected to be a high-stakes clash.
