Willy Mutunga calls for transparency in disbursing CHAN pledges to Harambee Stars
By Cy Muganda, August 10, 2025Former Chief Justice Dr Willy Mutunga has urged transparency and accountability in the disbursement of cash rewards pledged to Harambee Stars in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
In a statement posted on his X account on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Mutunga called on President William Ruto and former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko — both of whom have pledged significant sums of money to the national team if they win the tournament — to release part of the funds immediately.
“So, 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,” Mutunga said.
The former Chief Justice emphasised the need for transparent financial management of any funds disbursed to the national team, stressing that the money should go directly to all players, the coaching staff, and the team manager.
“I also suggest full accountability and transparency. I also suggest the money be paid to all players, coaching staff, and the manager,” he wrote.
Mutunga further cautioned against involving the leadership of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) in the handling of the funds.
“On no account should the leadership of KFF [sic] be involved in the handling of the money. We have a history of non-accountability by KFF [sic] and the Kenyan Olympic Committee that should never be repeated,” he noted.
Winning streak rewarded
According to a promise by President William Ruto, Harambee Stars’ 1-0 victory over Morocco in their third Group A match, played at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, on August 10, 2025, will earn each player a bonus of Ksh1 million.
Taking to his social media account, shortly after the Morocco match at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, Ruto celebrated the team’s performance, promising to fulfil his pledge.
“Congratulations to our boys mumecheza kama nyinyi. Sasa nitacheza kama mimi!” he wrote.
This follows an earlier Ksh1 million reward awarded to each player following their CHAN opener win against the Democratic Republic of Congo on August 3, 2025.
“President William Ruto has fulfilled his commitment to pay Ksh1 million each to all 27 Harambee Stars players and 15 members of the technical bench, a total of Ksh42 million, following the national team’s 1-0 win over the DRC on Sunday. Sports ministry officials led by Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya delivered the funds,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said in a statement posted on his X account on August 10, 2025.