PRESIDENT RUTO REWARDS HARAMBEE STARLETS Ksh 10 MILLION AFTER COMMANDING WIN OVER GAMBIA IN 2026 WAFCON QUALIFIERS
President William Ruto has rewarded the Harambee Starlets with a total of Ksh 10 million following their impressive 3–1 victory over The Gambia in the first leg of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers held at Nyayo National Stadium on October 24, 2025.
The gesture by the Head of State includes an initial Ksh 5 million given as motivation before the match and an additional Ksh 5 million for clinching the home win.
The win has brought the Harambee Starlets closer to securing a spot in the continental tournament for the first time since their debut in 2016.
President Ruto’s reward mirrors his recent initiatives to recognize and financially support Kenyan athletes, aiming to professionalize sports and boost national pride.
President Ruto congratulated the team on X and said, “As promised nitacheza kama mmi”
“Hearty congratulations to our gallant Harambee Starlets for the 3-1 triumph over Gambia, a commanding performance that propels Kenya closer to qualification for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco,” he wrote.
The incentives were announced by the Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi during the game, highlighting the government’s commitment to empowering women’s football. He added that the president has sent him their motivation money and he’s confident in their abilities and he knows they will win.
“He directed that I pay and clear your allowances, so the allowances will be cleared,” Mwangi said, then added: “He is very much aware that today we are having a very important game, and since he has not had an opportunity to come and celebrate with you in the previous matches, he has sent me with Sh5 million.
“He knows that you are going to win, and since you are going to win, he is going to give you Sh5 million more,” he added.
Further rewards were pledged for the team’s success in upcoming matches, including cash bonuses for qualifying and winning away games.
This support not only motivates the team but also underscores the growing importance of women’s sports in Kenya’s national agenda.
With the president’s backing and the public’s support including Interior PS Raymond Omollo and former Machakos Governor Johnson Muthama, the Harambee Starlets are now preparing with a boosted spirit for their return leg in Banjul, Senegal, to secure WAFCON qualification