President William Ruto has announced a historic Ksh 600 million CHAN reward package for the Harambee Stars, pledging Ksh 600 million if the national football team wins the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania from August 2 to 30.
During a morale-boosting visit to the team’s training camp at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Saturday, Ruto also promised Ksh 60 million for reaching the quarterfinals, Ksh 70 million for the semifinals, and individual bonuses of Ksh 1 million per player for each match won and Ksh 500,000 for each draw.
The unprecedented incentives, confirmed by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), aim to spur the team’s debut performance as they face DR Congo in their opening Group A match on Sunday at 3 p.m.
The announcement, made at a breakfast meeting with Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and FKF officials, underscores Kenya’s ambition to make history as first-time CHAN hosts.
Ruto, addressing the players, emphasised their responsibility to represent 55 million Kenyans, urging them to seize the chance to win the title on home soil.
“This is a historic moment. It’s the first time Kenya is hosting CHAN, and we want to make it doubly historic by winning,” he said, rallying fans to support the team as the “12th man” under the slogan “Stars Must Win.”
The pledge triples the initial Ksh 200 million bonus plan set by the Ministry of Sports, reflecting Ruto’s commitment to elevating football as a national priority.
Harambee Stars, led by coach Benni McCarthy, are in Group A alongside DR Congo, Angola, Zambia, and Morocco, with matches scheduled at the revamped Kasarani and Nyayo stadiums.
The team’s preparation included a four-nation pre-CHAN tournament in Arusha, Tanzania, though they withdrew to focus on readiness. McCarthy, who trimmed the squad after losing strikers Moses Shummah and Emmanuel Osoro to professional contracts abroad, welcomed the financial incentives, noting they boost morale.
“We promise to give our best and deliver results,” he said during Ruto’s visit. The team’s 25-man squad, bolstered by last-minute additions like Brian Michira, is poised for a strong debut.
The Harambee Stars CHAN 2025 incentives have sparked excitement on social media.
Fans praised Ruto’s generosity, posting, “Ksh 600m for the title? That’s massive motivation!” However, some expressed doubts, saying ‘tumetenga’, citing past unfulfilled government promises, like delays in the 2023 Talanta Hela payouts.
The rewards align with Ruto’s broader sports agenda, including the President William Ruto Cup, a county-level talent-scouting tournament launched in June 2025 to nurture young athletes in football, rugby, and volleyball.
Kenya’s investment in CHAN, including Ksh 1 billion in upgrades to Kasarani’s canopy and facilities, reflects Ruto’s vision to position the country as an African sports hub, with plans to co-host the 2027 AFCON.
The Kenya CHAN tournament rewards build on his history of rewarding athletes, such as Ksh 19.75 million for Paris 2024 Olympians, including Ksh 5 million for Faith Kipyegon’s two medals.
Critics, however, argue that the high stakes could pressure players, with a 2025 Capital News report noting concerns about performance anxiety under such financial incentives. Others question the sustainability of such large payouts amid economic challenges.
The Ruto’s football reward structure ties earnings to progress, ensuring players are motivated at every stage. Each win’s Ksh 1 million per player and Ksh 500,000 per draw add significant earning potential, especially for a 25-man squad.
The FKF’s statement highlighted tight security and sold-out tickets for the opener, signalling strong public support. Ruto’s call for unity, urging Kenyans to set aside political differences and back the Stars, aims to galvanise national pride.
As the tournament kicks off with Tanzania facing Burkina Faso in Dar es Salaam, Kenya’s debut against DR Congo is expected to draw massive crowds, with fans hopeful the CHAN 2025 financial incentives will drive the Stars to glory.
The rewards have drawn comparisons to Ruto’s previous sports initiatives, like the Ksh 3 million for the Kenya Sevens team’s 2024 Olympic qualification.
