Kenya’s pledge of a record Sh600 million bonus for Harambee Stars at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) has sparked debate over public spending, with the Sports Ministry clarifying that part of the cash will be drawn from an existing reward scheme and topped up by President William Ruto.
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi said on Tuesday that the Sh70 million annual budget under the Sports Ministry’s reward scheme will cover a portion of the bonus, with Ruto personally committing to add Sh530 million if the team wins the tournament.
“Paying Harambee Stars isn’t new. We pay those who break records. We have a Sh70 million budget to pay winners,” said the PS during a radio interview, noting that the government currently awards Sh3 million for gold, Sh2.75 million for silver, and Sh2.5 million for bronze medals, while athletes who set world records receive Sh5 million.
This is the first time the incentive structure, introduced over a decade ago for individual athletes, is being applied to a team sport.
Kenya’s commitment now surpasses those of co-hosts Uganda and Tanzania, who have pledged Sh301 million and Sh51 million respectively to their national teams.
So far, Harambee Stars have bagged Sh1 million after their opening 1-0 victory over DR Congo. They are one win away from an additional Sh1 million, with a full tournament sweep potentially earning the squad Sh280 million in win bonuses alone. Draws will earn the team Sh500,000 each.
Ahead of the match, Coach Benni McCarthy praised the pledge, describing it as a major boost for players.
“When you win football matches you get greatly rewarded so it was a great initiative from President Ruto to come in and motivate the boys and give them such huge incentive because when you look at it, it can be life-changing for many of these players because they are local based and do not have the biggest of salaries that you see there,” McCarthy said.
The CHAN tournament, which only allows home-based players, features many semi-professionals from the FKF Premier League.
These players often face poor or delayed pay. On average, they earn Sh80,000, though a few top earners, including the highest-paid player at Kenya Police, receive up to Sh220,000.
The bonus offer has also reignited questions about government spending priorities. Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently disclosed that the state can no longer afford to finance free primary and secondary education.
At the same time, the Social Health Insurance Fund is grappling with funding challenges.
Meanwhile, concerns persist over the treatment of the national women’s team, Harambee Starlets, who are still waiting for allowances from their April friendly against Cote d’Ivoire, despite repeated promises.
Also yet to be fulfilled is a separate Sh50 million bonus President Ruto pledged to Harambee Stars for qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
