Oga Obinna warns govt Kenyans will demand proof if Harambee Stars’ bonus is not paid
Comedian and media personality Steve Maghana, alias Oga Obinna, has issued a stern warning to the government, urging full accountability and transparency in disbursing President William Ruto’s promised Ksh600 million bonus to Harambee Stars.
In a video shared on his TikTok on the night of Saturday, August 2, 2025, Obinna praised the president for the bold gesture but said Kenyans would not allow mismanagement or backdoor dealings to sabotage the players’ reward.
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He insisted that once the national team begins their campaign and secures their first win, individual payments must be made directly to the players’ bank accounts without any interference from the team’s management.
“Now that you have seen what the president has said to Harambee Stars, it is a good thing. But here is what I recommend: when they play their first game and win, the players’ bank details should be sent to Farouk Kibet, Oscar Sudi, or Dennis Itumbi. The money should be sent directly to each player’s bank account,” Obinna said.
President Ruto, while addressing the Harambee Stars on Saturday, August 2, 2025, pledged a Ksh600 million bonus for the national team if they win the African Nations Championship (CHAN) on home soil.
He also promised Ksh70 million for reaching the semi-finals, Ksh60 million for reaching the quarter-finals, and a personal reward of Ksh1 million to each player for every win and Ksh500,000 for every draw.
Reacting to the announcement, Obinna said that in order to safeguard the players’ interests, trusted individuals such as State House digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi or Ruto’s aide Farouk Kibet should be tasked with collecting bank account details and wiring the money directly to each player.
He maintained that no amount should pass through team management, citing past concerns about the mishandling of funds meant for sportsmen and women.
“It should not be taxed or deducted. This money is more like a grant or a gift. Let the funds be sent and posted publicly so that we can all see who has received their one million and who has not. The team’s share should also be sent to the official team account, and that should also be posted. We know what happens in sports, the money may be released but ends up with coaches or the management with excuses like ‘this is to help us do this or that.”
Obinna further challenged the government to post proof of each transaction, showing who received how much.
He stressed that all players, including substitutes who sit on the bench, must benefit equally from the president’s pledge.
“We know how these things go. Money can be released but ends up in the hands of coaches or officials with excuses. That must not happen. We want to see screenshots or evidence showing that each player got their million shillings,” Obinna stated.
The Harambee Stars are set to open their CHAN 2024 campaign against DR Congo today, Sunday, August 3, 2025, at the Kasarani Stadium, in what will be their first major test in Group A, which also includes Angola, Morocco and Zambia.
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Steve Ireri
Steve is a senior writer with over four years of experience in digital journalism. His focus is on the showbiz and human interest stories. Emails: [email protected] , [email protected]
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