President William Ruto has thrown the full weight of the nation behind Kenya’s Harambee Stars ahead of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), declaring “Stars Must Win” the national slogan and unveiling a multi-million shilling reward package to motivate the team.
In a post on his official Facebook page, President Ruto emphasized the significance of Kenya co-hosting the continental tournament alongside neighbours, calling it “a moment for Kenya to shine.”
“CHAN 2024 is our chance to showcase the talent of our players, the unity of our people, and the warmth of our hospitality,” Ruto stated. He rallied citizens, declaring “this month, there’s only one party: Harambee Stars,” and urged Kenyans to “turn out in large numbers and rally behind our national team.”
The President personally joined the squad for a breakfast meeting at the Pullman Hotel in Nairobi as they intensified final preparations. His visit underscored the high-level support for the team.
Lucrative Rewards Announced
Further amplifying the push for victory, President Ruto visited the team’s residential camp at Kasarani and announced substantial financial incentives, as reported by sports journalist Kevin Teya.
The reward structure is designed to motivate strong performances throughout the tournament:
- Ksh 1 million per player for every win during the group stage and knockout rounds.
- Ksh 500,000 per player for every draw.
- Ksh 60 million for the entire team upon reaching the quarterfinals.
- Ksh 70 million for the team if they reach the semifinals.
- A staggering Ksh 600 million for the team if they win the entire CHAN 2024 tournament.
This significant financial commitment represents one of the largest publicly announced incentive packages for a Kenyan national team in recent history, highlighting the importance placed on a strong showing by the home side.
Nation Rallies Behind Stars
With CHAN 2024 kicking off this month, the combined message from the President is clear: Kenya aims not just to participate, but to compete fiercely and win. The “Stars Must Win” slogan and the substantial rewards have ignited fervent discussion and anticipation among football fans nationwide.
The Harambee Stars now carry the hopes of a nation eager to celebrate success on home soil, buoyed by presidential backing and the promise of life-changing rewards for tournament glory. All eyes will be on the team as they step onto the pitch to showcase Kenyan football.
