Harambee Stars players to get affordable housing units, but have to pay Sh1 million

Each Harambee Stars player and technical staff member will receive a two-bedroomed house under the affordable housing scheme, but will have to foot half of the bill.

President William Ruto today made the announcement during a luncheon at State House, where players and staff were feted for their exemplary performance in the ongoing African Nations Championship (Chan 2024).

The team defied all odds and made it to the quarterfinals of the prestigious tournament, which for the first time was co-hosted by three East African nations.

Throughout the tournament, Benni McCarthy’s charges bagged mouth-watering amounts of cash with each win or draw, totalling Sh5.5 million.

President Ruto, in total, offset 210 million to the team form of rewards; for the victory against DR Congo, the draw with Angola, the shock beating of title favourites Morocco and defeating Zambia.

A win against the Leopards earned the team Sh1 million each, with the 1-1 draw against Angola seeing Sh500,000 deposited into their respective bank accounts. They added an extra million each by beating Morocco, and doubled up on their luck after the hard-fought win over Chipolopolo, where the President offered Sh2.5 million.

The Harambee Stars were today hosted at State House by H.E. President Dr. William Samoei Ruto, in recognition of their remarkable achievement of reaching the CHAN 2024 quarterfinals on debut. pic.twitter.com/7iIPH5m3iV — Football Kenya Federation (@Football_Kenya) August 28, 2025

Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga also promised to reward the players with Sh500,000 each after they topped Group A.

They were then promised Sh2.5 million, with a two-bedroomed house under Ruto’s housing programme, if they beat Madagascar and made it to the semi-final.

Ruto, while thanking the team for inspiring hope for upcoming generations, insisted that he was always looking forward on giving houses to the players.

 “It was really my wish that all of you owned homes. Maybe I should have been there in person to motivate the team. Because you inspired the nation and brought us together, and because we were holding a continental tournament for the first time in 40 years, it is understandable that we were not as ready as we should have been,” he said.

He then offered the players a chance to get a housing unit, but asked that they foot half the amount or opt to take a mortgage and repay the remaining amount over 20 years.

“I believe you will still have to own a home. The two-bedroomed house that we agreed on in our current arrangement costs Sh2 million. We are going to pay half that amount for you. You pay the other million, or we will give you a mortgage that you can pay over 20 years. You will be paying like Sh2000 or Sh3000 every month. There is no room for exchanging the house for money. You will also choose a house in a town you like,” Ruto explained.

Ruto also revealed that his government had revised the cash award scheme for sportspeople in the country to reflect their sacrifice and hard work.

He also recommended that Cabinet Secretary Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya recommend payment of winning bonuses to teams and athletes engaged in qualification for major championships, which would amount to Sh2.5 million.

Beyond CHAN 2024, Ruto vowed to build 25 new stadiums across the country in time for the Africa Cup of Nations, which Kenya will co-host in 2027.

“We are investing heavily in our infrastructure. We are building facilities that will serve athletes and communities alike,” Ruto said.

With Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed and his vice president, McDonald Mariga in attendance, Ruto expressed confidence in the current office, following the team’s achievements in CHAN.

He reaffirmed the government’s full commitment to developing talent in the country, and appealed to more corporates to invest in Kenyan sportspeople.

UTILITIES: How much have Harambee Stars earned during CHAN 2024?

• Win vs DR Congo – Sh 1 million
• Draw vs Angola – Sh500,000
• Win vs Morocco – Sh 1 million
• Win vs Zambia – Sh 2.5 million (+ Sh500,000 from Raila)