CHAN exit costs Harambee Stars millions and opportunity to be homeowners
By Steve Ireri, August 22, 2025President William Ruto’s ambitious promise of a Ksh1 million cash bonus and a two-bedroom house to each Harambee Stars player now remains out of reach after Kenya’s elimination from the African Nations Championship (CHAN) at the quarter-final stage.
Ahead of the knockout rounds, President Ruto had pledged a lavish reward package to the national team should they reach the semi-finals.
During a motivational visit to the squad at Kasarani on August 11, 2025, he announced that each player and technical staff member would receive Ksh2.5 million for a win against Zambia, an additional Ksh1 million for making the quarters, and a two-bedroom house under the Affordable Housing Programme.
The promise went even further: should the Stars reach the final, those houses would be upgraded to three-bedroom units, a move widely seen as both a morale booster and a strategic show of state support for football.
At that point, Kenya was riding high after an impressive group-stage run, beating DR Congo and Morocco and holding Angola to a draw.
The team had already benefited from earlier incentives, collecting Ksh1 million each for victories over DR Congo and Morocco and a draw with Angola, as part of a total reward structure amounting to Ksh60 million for advancing to the knockout stages.
The team, on August 18, 2025, also pocketed additional millions after President William Ruto fulfilled his pledge of Ksh2.5 million in cash for each Harambee Stars player following their 1-0 triumph over Zambia on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed confirmed the payment the following day and added that former Prime Minister Raila Odinga had also honoured his promise, rewarding each player with Ksh500,000.
With a narrow win over Zambia in the last 16, hopes soared that the Harambee Stars could reach the semifinals and claim the full rewards, including the much-anticipated homes.
However, all those dreams were dashed in the quarterfinal clash against Madagascar at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani, on Friday, August 22, 2025.
Kenya had taken an early lead through Alphince Omija, but Madagascar equalised after the hour mark, forcing extra time.
The match culminated in a tense penalty shootout, which the Islanders won 4-3, ending Kenya’s fairytale run and leaving the promised cash and housing incentives out of reach.
While partial rewards for earlier victories were honoured, the grand prize designed to recognise Kenya’s historic CHAN performance remains unclaimed.