By Dennis Mabuka
President William Samoei Ruto has pledged to ease the housing journey for Harambee Stars players by offering each of them a Sh1 million grant to cover half the cost of a two-bedroom affordable house following their stellar performance at the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN).
The Stars recorded a remarkable achievement of reaching the tournament’s quarterfinals on their debut campaign in East Africa.
Kenya announced its arrival on the CHAN stage with a Group A 1-0 victory over two-time champions DR Congo in the opening fixture. The winning moment came from Austin Odhiambo, whose clinical strike sealed not just three points, but Kenya’s first-ever win at the tournament.
In the second match, the Stars once again looked to Odhiambo for inspiration. Playing with 10 men, Kenya fell behind early but showed remarkable character. Odhiambo, who plays for record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia, found the equaliser, earning the team a 1-1 draw and keeping their qualification dreams alive.
The third group match was a true test of spirit. Reduced to 10 men yet again, the Harambee Stars faced a formidable Moroccan side. Ryan Wesley Ogam delivered a moment of magic with a magnificent strike, sealing a 1-0 victory and confirming Kenya’s place in the quarterfinals for the first time ever.
In the quarter-final, Kenya faced Madagascar in a tightly contested clash. Alphonce Omija gave Kenya the lead with a sublime header, but Madagascar equalised, forcing the game into extra time. After a tense 1-1 stalemate, the match was decided on penalties. The Harambee Stars bowed out 4-3 in the shootout — their historic run ending in heartbreak, but with heads held high.
“To motivate and support them further, my government has committed to meet half the cost of two-bedroom units under the Affordable Housing Programme and extend access to affordable mortgages to help our athletes offset the balance,” said President Ruto at State House, Nairobi, on Thursday.
Ruto added: “The two-bedroom house that we have agreed on in affordable housing costs Sh2 million. We are going to pay you half that amount, which is Sh1 million. Alternatively, we will be giving you a mortgage which you can pay for over 20 years, and that would translate to a payment of Sh2,000 or Sh3,000 every month.
“There is no room for exchanging the house for money. There is only the house, and you will get a chance to choose a house in a town of your choice, be it Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, or wherever you want.”
He continued: “We are intentional and resolute in nurturing talent and building an ecosystem where our athletes can realise their full potential, inspire greatness, and conquer the world stage. That is why we are investing heavily in the construction and renovation of modern stadiums across the country, while also transforming our reward framework by raising athlete awards more than fourfold to truly honour their sacrifice, discipline, and excellence.
“We call upon our sportsmen and women to keep pushing boundaries, to keep aiming higher, to keep believing in themselves. As a nation, we stand firmly behind them.”
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) stated to congratulate the President for his gesture and further explained what the visit to State House by Harambee Stars players meant to football in the country.
“This celebration was more than a tribute to the team’s discipline and resilience; it was also a platform to chart the future of Kenyan football.
Led by FKF President Hussein Mohammed, the delegation included NEC members, branch chairman, club CEOs, and over 80 corporate leaders who joined the Head of State in exploring how football can power economic growth, create jobs for our youth, and strengthen national unity,” read part of the statement.
“He has clearly shown the power and potential of football in Kenya. We now call upon our corporate partners and stakeholders to walk with us in this journey of transformation by investing in the game and unlocking the opportunities it holds for millions of Kenyans.
“As the FKF, we remain committed to turning these conversations into action; developing youth and grassroots football, investing in coaching and refereeing, modernising infrastructure, and working with clubs to achieve professional standards.”
The statement concluded: “With AFCON 2027 on home soil, this is our moment to build on Harambee Stars’ momentum and deliver lasting progress for Kenyan football.”
Now, the focus shifts to the next challenge: the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. Kenya will host Gambia on September 5, and Seychelles on September 9, both at Kasarani Stadium (kick-off 4:00 pm). The Stars will look to build on their CHAN momentum as they continue chasing even bigger dreams.
The Communications Unit at Pamoja Africa is dedicated to bringing fans timely, accurate, and inspiring stories from across the African football scene. Passionate about celebrating CHAN’24 and AFCON’27 editions lated for East Africa. The team curates news, features, and exclusive insights that connect audiences to the heart of African football.
