Ruto dangles Sh2.5m in Harambee Stars' -Zambia clash

President William Ruto meets Harambee Stars players and officials on Monday August 11, 2025. [PSC]

President William Ruto has promised each Harambee Stars player Sh2.5 million if the team beats Zambia in the African Nations Championship (CHAN)  on Sunday.

The President also promised another Sh1 million if the team wins the quarter finals and a two bedroomed house.

Accumulatevely each player will have Sh6 million after winning the quarter finals. Speaking when he met the players on Monday, August 11, after Kenya’s 1–0 win over Morocco,  Ruto said the pledge builds on an earlier offer of Sh1 million per player for a victory.

‘Now on Sunday, I want us to make a new deal. Since we are going to win by the grace of God, I have adjusted the previous promise so that the next game, if we win, each one of you will get a reward of Sh2.5 million including the technical bench,’ said Ruto.

The President explained that each player will also receive Sh1 million and a two-bedroom house under the Affordable Housing Programme if they triumph in the quarter-finals.

The total reward would rise to Sh6 million plus a house for every player and technical bench member.

‘If you triumph at the quarter-finals, you will get Sh1 million and a two-bedroom house at a place of your choice,’ noted Ruto.

Ruto added that if the team reaches the finals by winning the semi-finals, the houses would be upgraded to three-bedroom units.

He praised Kenyans, whom he called ‘The Twelfth Man,’ for their support and urged the team to maintain its winning spirit.

The President’s latest pledge came as he honoured his earlier promise by awarding Sh1 million each to all 27 players and 15 technical bench members, a total of Sh42 million, following Sunday’s victory over Morocco.

The players had already received Sh2.5 million from earlier wins against Morocco, DR Congo, and a draw with Angola.