Ruto visits Harambee Stars in dressing room and prays for them after Zambia win
By Valerian Khakayi, August 17, 2025President William Ruto joined Harambee Stars players in their dressing room and prayed for them after their hard-fought 1–0 victory over Zambia in the ongoing CHAN 2024 tournament on Sunday, August 17, 2025.
In his prayer, Ruto thanked God for the national team’s performance since the beginning of the tournament.
“Our heavenly Father, we want to thank you for this team, thank you for this team, team Harambee Stars. We want to commit these good citizens of our country, these players, to your hands as they play; protect them heavily, Father, and give them success in all the remaining games,” Ruto prayed.
“We pray for our nation. Thank you to the fans who have come through for them. Thank you for all who have come to support them. Thank you for their families; we want to pray that you will make them successful even in this game, that they would inspire other young people to be good players and lift these young men so that they can lift our nation.”
The head of state also asked God to grant the team victory in the coming matches.
“We pray over the games ahead that when we get to the finals, you will give us victory,” Ruto prayed.
Ruto’s promise
Apart from praying for their victory in the coming games, Ruto also vowed to fulfil his Ksh 2.5 million promise to the team.
“Congratulations, Harambee Stars! You have done the nation proud, inspired immense joy, and united our country in celebration. Now, march forward and conquer the continent. Do not settle for less , just as we, as a nation, must never settle for anything less than glory,” he said.
“As for me ,nitacheza kama mimi. After all, dawa ya deni ni kulipa,” Ruto declared, assuring players and fans alike that his pledge of Ksh2.5 million per player will be fulfilled.
Harambee Stars’ victory
This comes after Kenya sealed top spot in the CHAN 2024 Group A after edging Zambia 1-0 at Kasarani, while Morocco produced a ruthless second-half performance to beat DR Congo 3-1 at Nyayo and claim the second ticket to the quarter-finals.
The Harambee Stars, already assured of progression before kickoff, were made to work hard against a stubborn Zambia side. The breakthrough finally came in the 75th minute, when substitute Boniface Muchiri slipped a pass through to Ryan Ogam, who controlled brilliantly inside the box before smashing past the keeper to send the Kasarani crowd into raptures.
It was a reward for Kenya’s dominance in possession and territory, though Zambia exited the tournament winless. Across the city at Nyayo, Morocco and DR Congo delivered a high-stakes battle.
After a cagey first half that ended 1-1, Morocco seized control after the break. They added the second from the penalty spot, Hrimat calmly converting to make it 2-1 in the 70th minute. As DR Congo pushed forward desperately, Lamlioui struck again, finishing off another slick move to seal a 3-1 victory and Morocco’s place in the last eight.