‘Beat Ethiopia and get Sh50 million’ – DP Ruto tells Harambee Stars

DP William Ruto and FKF President Nick Mwendwa celebrate a goal in a past match [Country]

The Kenya men’s national football team Harambee Stars will receive sh50 million if they beat Ethiopia on Sunday, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Ruto, on Friday, October 12 visited Harambee Stars as they held their training session at the Moi International Sports Centre Kasarani.

He encouraged the team to work hard and deliver a victory, as the whole country will be watching them.

Harambee Stars players celebrate a goal in a past match [Courtesy]

“Take up the challenge and deliver victory for yourselves as and the country. The whole country, every Kenyan, their eyes, minds and hearts are here in Kasarani on Sunday,” said Ruto.

He then assured the players and the team’s management that leaders will be present at Kasarani on Sunday to give support and added that allowances have already been released to cater for the game.

“All of us as leaders will also be here to cheer you. The allowances expected for this match to move on have been released. A total of Sh25 million has been released,” reassured the DP.

Ruto promised to get the team an official bus next month and assured them of getting sh50 million from the Government if they garner 3 points against Ethiopia.

“We must have an official bus for Harambee Stars. I want to commit that the bus will available next month for your use. If you give us this win, the GoK is going to give Sh50 million to Harambee Stars,” Ruto said.

He also noted that the country did not have a clear mechanism of funding and underscored the fact that the Government is committed to a special fund to cater for sportspersons in the country.

“We have not had a clear funding mechanism for sport in Kenya. The good news is that the GoK has committed a special fund to ensure all sportspersons have the necessary infrastructure and financial support. The Ministry of Sports and Culture will have the resources necessary going forward to ensure the potential that exists for sports in the country is tapped and used for profiling our country positively,” noted the DP.

“In the next month or so, the new fund will kick in and we expect to raise substantial resources every year directly going to sports,” he concluded.

Kenya are only three points away from making a dramatic return to the AFCON, the last one coming in 2004.

With the draw, Kenya leapfrogged Ghana in Group F to retain first spot.