NAIROBI, Kenya— As Harambee Stars celebrated a gritty 1-0 win over Zambia in the CHAN tournament, the focus shifted beyond the pitch to the money promised to the players—an unexpected political coup that’s now dominating the headlines.
President William Ruto has taken centre stage, aligning himself with Kenya’s most unlikely CHAN success story.
At the tournament’s onset, he had promised each player Sh1 million per win and Sh500,000 per draw.
But ahead of the Zambia match, he dramatically raised the stakes: win and each player would walk away with Sh2.5 million, plus a slot in the government’s affordable housing program.
These financial incentives represent a deliberate effort to link football glory with tangible rewards—and to rebrand himself amid lingering discontent from youthful protests earlier this year.
Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has joined the fray, also offering a cash bonus to the team.
He pledged Sh500,000 to each player, adding to the mounting rewards for the team’s inspiring display.
Raila promises Ksh500,000 to each Harambee Stars player after winning against Zambia
That totals Sh3 million per player—an unprecedented haul for a domestic league-limited squad.
-Why the Money Matters-
Those payouts are not math on paper—they translate directly into life-changing sums for teams consisting mostly of local-league players who typically earn modest salaries.
Ruto’s bonuses have sparked a fundraising frenzy across the public discourse: fans now chant “One Million” inside stadiums, a nod to his initial pledge, and social media exploded with reactions celebrating the payout windfall.
Analysts say this is a shrewd political move. Amid a backdrop of violent protests that shook Kenya in June and July—and tarnished the government’s image—Ruto has found a fast track to goodwill through football.
At the beginning of the CHAN tournament, no one gave our Harambee Stars a chance of going past the group stages. After all, we were in the so-called “Group of Death.” Yet, our boys have triumphed.By overcoming football giants of the continent, our boys have shown the world
The tournament offers a momentary escape from simmering public anger and a chance to recast his image as a unifier.
But as the Stars move into the quarter-finals, the question is whether the financial rewards will be enough to sustain national euphoria.
Will the cash cheer translate into political mileage beyond the final whistle?
The answer could shape both the tournament’s legacy and Ruto’s political trajectory.
