NAIROBI, Kenya — Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has stepped in with a personal gesture to honour Harambee Stars goalkeeper Byrne Omondi, whose calm hands and sharp reflexes were key in Kenya’s historic 1-0 win over Morocco in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Salasya announced he will pay Omondi’s house rent for the next three months, praising the shot-stopper’s composure and work ethic during the high-stakes Group A clash at Kasarani.
“He is very composed and knows his work. I will just gift the goalkeeper; the other players will be gifted by Ruto,” Salasya told reporters, making it clear his reward was reserved solely for Omondi.
A Keeper in Fine Company
In saluting Omondi, Salasya likened the 25-year-old to some of Kenya’s most iconic football names — former Stars goalkeeper Francis Onyiso and the late legendary coach Reinhard Fabisch.
The win over Morocco not only gave Kenya bragging rights over a two-time CHAN champion but also cemented their place at the top of Group A with seven points. It came just days after a spirited 1-1 draw with Angola and a morale-boosting opener against DR Congo.
With the group stages wrapping up, focus now shifts to the knockout rounds — a stage Kenya has never reached in CHAN history.
From Rent to Retirement Packages
Looking beyond the current tournament, Salasya dangled even bigger promises. Should he clinch the presidency in 2027, the MP vowed that every Harambee Stars player would receive binding contracts, full medical cover, and retirement benefits of at least Sh70,000 a month.
He went further, pledging starting salaries of Sh450,000 per player, topped up with corporate sponsorships from manufacturing firms he hopes to woo under his leadership.
Presidential Incentives in Play
Salasya’s rent pledge comes hot on the heels of President William Ruto’s own motivational package for the Stars. Ahead of Kenya’s final group fixture against Zambia on Sunday, August 17, Ruto promised Sh2.5 million to each player and technical bench member for a win.
If the team goes beyond the quarter-finals, the President has pledged an extra Sh1 million plus a home for each player under the Affordable Housing Programme.
Omondi’s Moment
Against Morocco, Omondi was nothing short of heroic — pulling off match-defining saves, commanding his area, and ensuring Kenya’s clean sheet stood firm even after Erambo’s red card left the team a man down.
It was a performance that didn’t just keep Kenya in the tournament — it turned the goalkeeper into a national talking point.
