Each player received Sh1 million per win, while forward Boniface Muchiri, a soldier in the Kenya Defence Forces, was promoted from private to corporal.
On the surface, it was jubilation—smiles, handshakes, and photographs. But beneath the celebration lies a profound truth: Kenya has long celebrated its sporting heroes in moments of fleeting euphoria, only to abandon them to poverty and obscurity once the stadium lights dim. This moment must mark a new era.
Head coach Benni McCarthy, captain Abud Omar, and Muchiri all attested that the President’s incentives were instrumental in their exceptional performance. The pledges were more than money—they were a validation of weeks of sacrifice, a signal that the nation values their toil and dedication.
Incentives, when meaningful, ignite ambition and foster loyalty; they are proof that heroism on the field translates into dignity off it. Kenya’s athletes have long illustrated this principle. Our runners, from Kipchoge Keino to Eliud Kipchoge, were driven not only by medals but by recognition and reward.
Yet for many Harambee Stars of the past, the reward faded once the roar of fans subsided. Some retired into poverty, others into obscurity, their triumphs reduced to faint memories. This pattern should not repeat itself.
While Sh1 million per win is generous, episodic rewards can't be the foundation for sustainable sports development. Kenyan athletes need structured support—housing schemes, pension plans, and medical cover that endure beyond the headlines. Only then can talent thrive without the shadow of financial despair. If teachers, doctors, and soldiers are guaranteed security and stability for service to the nation, so too must athletes, who represent Kenya on the global stage. The time has come to institutionalise recognition and transform applause into enduring dignity.
History is unforgiving. Legends like Musa Otieno, once sources of national pride, struggled post-retirement, abandoned by the institutions they had represented. For every fleeting celebration, there was a lifetime of neglect. The CHAN 2024 generation offers a chance to rewrite that narrative, transforming momentary victories into a foundation for lifelong stability.
Ruto’s pledge, while commendable, must not be limited to Harambee Stars. Kenya is home to champions in volleyball, rugby, boxing, athletics, and beyond. Recognition and incentives must be equitable, spanning all sports. National pride is indivisible; every athlete who wears the Kenyan colours deserves dignity and security.
Incentives alone are insufficient. Kenya’s sporting institutions have long suffered from mismanagement, corruption, and wrangles. Rewarding athletes without reforming federations risks undermining progress. Transparency, meritocracy, and discipline in management are essential. Only with governance aligned to recognition can incentives achieve lasting impact.
The CHAN 2024 performance was more than sport—it was a mirror of Kenya’s potential. The President’s pledge resonates beyond monetary value; it carries the weight of historical correction, of promise kept to those who bear the nation’s name with honour.
Kenya must move from tokenism to policy, from fleeting cheer to lasting change. The players who lifted the national flag in Kasarani deserve homes, stability, and a future built on the foundation of their achievements. This is a turning point, an opportunity to end the cycle of abandonment and ignite a culture where national heroes are celebrated and secured, not forgotten.
