Former Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, on Sunday, August 10, faced a backlash online after he called for transparency and accountability on the financial pledges made to the Harambee Stars by President William Ruto and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.
In a statement via X, Mutunga said Ruto and Sonko should disburse at least a quarter of the pledged amount to the Harambee Stars team as the African Nations Championship (CHAN 2024) continues.
“The President and Governor Sonko have pledged huge sums of money for Harambee Stars if they win the CHAN. I ask both to be generous and pay the Stars a quarter of the pledged amount. I also suggest full accountability and transparency,” said Mutunga.
The former CJ also suggested that the money be directly paid to the Harambee Stars players, coaching staff, and manager.
He warned against the involvement of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in managing the funds.
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“On no account should the leadership of KFF be involved in the handling of the money. We have a history of non-accountability by KFF and the Kenyan Olympic Committee that should never be repeated,” Mutunga stated.
President Ruto, on August 2, announced that each Harambee Stars player will receive Ksh1 million for every match won and Ksh500,000 for a draw. If the team progresses to the quarter-finals, they will earn a collective Ksh60 million.
Reaching the semi-finals will bring in Ksh70 million, and if the Harambee Stars win the championship, the team will be awarded a staggering Ksh600 million.
Sonko, on the other hand, promised the team a cash prize of Ksh400 million if they win the tournament.
Mutunga's remarks on the pledges did not sit well with Kenyans, who slammed him, saying the pledges were personal donations and that President Ruto had already disbursed the money to the team.
Other social media users accused Mutunga of demanding accountability despite not making any pledge to the Harambee Stars himself.
However, a section of netizens defended the former CJ, agreeing that the pledges should be handled transparently.
Below are some of the reactions from Kenyans.
