President William Ruto vowed to fulfil his promise to Harambee Stars players following their heroic victory over DR Congo on Sunday, August 3.
The Kenyan men’s national football team beat their opponents 1-0 to begin their African Nations Championship (CHAN) campaign on a high note.
Thousands of Kenyans turned up to support the team at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Thousands of Kenyans turned up to support the team at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
Ruto was joined by CAF President Patrice Motsepe with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, among other key dignitaries.
DR Congo started the better of the teams, with the two-time champions finding the back of the net inside five minutes. The goal was, however, chalked off after a VAR review.
Harambee Stars later found their feet in the game. Alpha Onyango and Manzur Suleiman controlled the midfield as they allowed the main creative spark, Austine Odhiambo, to find spaces in between.
It was Odhiambo who scored the only goal of the game, just before halftime, to send the stadium crazy.
The goal was not only to secure vital three points for Benni McCarthy’s team, but also to make them the new millionaires in town, thanks to President Ruto’s promise. When will Harambee Stars players receive money from Ruto?
The Head of State hosted the team for a breakfast meeting on Saturday morning, where he promised to award them with KSh one million each for every win and KSh 500,000 for every draw.
He visited the players in the dressing room after the game, where he congratulated them on the hard-fought win. The president also had special praise for Odhiambo, thanking him for taking Kenya over the line.
On when they will receive the money, the UDA party leader asked Football Kenya Federation president Hussein Mohammed to collect the money for the players on Monday at 8 am.
“Keep it up, this is a good beginning. Thank you bwana Odhis kwa kutupatia io bao. I want you to keep the spirit high. The whole country is behind you,” he said.
“Now, everyone here has one million each. The FKF President should pick it up tomorrow morning (Monday). This is how we will operate: if you get good results, I pay.”
Ruto also issued a rallying call to the players to maintain the same tempo ahead of their next game against Angola on Thursday. “On Thursday, we have another big game. Keep the focus, go out strongly. We are all behind you. You did a good job.”
