The Harambee Stars are soaring, and their impressive performance at the CHAN 2024 tournament is being met with unprecedented support from the highest office. In a meeting with the team at the Pullman Hotel in Nairobi, President William Ruto not only reaffirmed his earlier financial promises but also raised the stakes significantly. He has pledged a staggering Ksh2.5 million to each player if they secure a victory against Zambia in their final Group A game, a move that could potentially net each player a total of Ksh5 million in group stage bonuses alone.

President Ruto's meeting with the players on Monday, August 11, came on the heels of their impressive 1-0 victory against Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. During the engagement, he assured the team that his initial promise of Ksh1 million for every group game victory would be honored. With the win against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the draw against Angola, each player has already pocketed Ksh2.5 million from the first three matches, a testament to the president's commitment to rewarding success.

The president's new incentives, however, go beyond the group stage. He has also promised to award each Harambee Stars player Ksh1 million and an affordable housing unit should they secure a victory in the quarter-final of the tournament. This pledge is a direct response to a request from the players themselves, who, led by goalkeeper Faruk Shikhalo, had urged the president to "remember them" on the issue of affordable housing. This new promise shows a clear commitment to the long-term welfare of the players, extending beyond the field and into their personal lives.
The Harambee Stars' performance at the tournament has been nothing short of remarkable. Tipped to struggle against a tough group, the team, co-hosting CHAN 2024 alongside Uganda and Tanzania, has exceeded expectations. They have already secured a win against the DRC and a hard-earned draw against Angola, and now sit comfortably at the top of Group A with seven points from three games. Their impressive run has all but secured them a spot in the quarter-finals, and their final group match against Zambia is now a high-stakes affair with a significant financial reward on the line.

As President Ruto rightly stated, "The Harambee Stars are proof of what unity can achieve. They have brought the country together, and we are all witnessing the success it is bringing to the nation." The government's continued and escalating support is a clear signal of its commitment to fostering the growth of football in the country. With the team now on the brink of quarter-final qualification, the nation holds its breath, hoping that this combination of on-field grit and presidential support will lead them all the way to a historic CHAN victory.