Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars, has been on a winning streak both on and off the pitch, with the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and the government disbursing generous allowances and bonuses over the past two months.
FKF President Hussein Mohammed, speaking on Sunday, revealed that allowances paid to players and technical staff in July and August amounted to approximately Ksh21 million. This covered camp stipends and match-related payments for a squad of 27 players, three more than the government’s official allocation of 24, with FKF stepping in to cater for the balance.
“Whatever the team gets is the effort of the federation; the federation does everything in its power to make sure that we remunerate the team well,” Hussein said, stressing FKF’s commitment to supporting the squad.
In addition to the federation’s contributions, President William Ruto injected significant financial motivation, awarding the team KSh232 million in bonuses. Combined with FKF allowances, the total package for players and the technical bench reached an impressive Ksh253 million. While exact per-player figures were not disclosed, the shared nature of the payments suggests varying amounts depending on role and status within the squad.
The President has also personally motivated the team with performance-based pledges. On August 11, Ruto promised Ksh2.5 million each to players and staff if they triumphed over Zambia in their final group stage match, a promise they fulfilled on August 17.
Furthermore, he pledged Ksh1 million and a two-bedroom Affordable Housing apartment for every player should they advance to the quarter-finals, alongside a Ksh60 million team bonus for achieving the milestone.
Beyond finances, Hussein reassured fans that coach Benni McCarthy retains full independence in squad selection, dismissing claims of political or administrative interference. “Selection is strictly on merit,” he emphasized.
