President William Ruto on Monday, August 11, met with Harambee Stars players to congratulate them on their 1–0 victory over Morocco in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on Sunday, August 10.
In a statement after the meeting, Ruto highlighted the unifying power of sports and urged Kenyans to rally behind the national team.
"Unity has always propelled us forward. We must never allow negativity, failure, or doubt to prevent us from reaching our full potential.
"If we believe in ourselves and refuse to let division or hate enter the equation, Kenya can become the great nation we all dream of," he said.
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Ruto commended the team for their role in uniting the country and expressed confidence in their ability to win CHAN.
"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.
"We stand behind you, praying that this time we win will CHAN because it’s within close reach," he added.
To further motivate the players ahead of their next fixture, Ruto announced a reward package tied to their performance.
He stated that should Kenya defeat Zambia, each player will receive Ksh2.5 million, and Ksh1 million and a house if they advance past the quarter-finals.
"We’ve also agreed on rewards: A win against Zambia next Sunday will earn each player Ksh2.5 million.
"If they triumph in the quarter-finals, each will be gifted Ksh1 million and a two-bedroom affordable housing unit in a location of their choice," he further said.
Harambee Stars are set to face Zambia on Sunday, August 17, at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani.
The match might be played behind closed doors after The Confederation of African Football (CAF) suspended ticket sales for all upcoming matches scheduled to take place at Kasarani.
The decision comes in the wake of safety and security breaches that overshadowed Harambee Stars’ game against Morocco on Sunday.
A spot check conducted at Mookh, the official ticket distributor for the African Nations Championship (CHAN) fixtures, revealed that currently only tickets for matches at Nyayo Stadium are available for purchase.
