Kingi to Ruto: Senators deserve Ksh1M for defeating governors in football match
By Mabonga Makhanu, August 13, 2025Senate Speaker Amason Kingi brought laughter to the Devolution Conference after making a humorous request to President William Ruto, who was present at the event.
The Speaker playfully suggested that senators should also be rewarded for defeating governors 5–0 in their recent football match, just as the President had previously rewarded the national football team, Harambee Stars, after their victories against Morocco, Angola and Congo.
Addressing the conference in Homa Bay on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Kingi pointed out that the president’s generosity had been evident in recent weeks, particularly in the way he extended appreciation to the Harambee Stars for each match they won.
He argued that the Senate football team, having emerged victorious against the governors, also deserved similar recognition.
“In keeping with your generosity, Mr President, that has been witnessed by Kenyans in the past couple of weeks, where you extended some appreciation to the national team, the Harambee St, for every match that they win, the senate team having beaten the governors,” Kingi stated
The request
His remarks sparked laughter among the attendees, with the president himself visibly amused by the humorous request. Kingi went on to state that the Senate football team is made up of 16 members and expressed hope that they would be considered for a token of appreciation.
In a cheeky remark, he added that if the proposal was agreeable, he might stop by the State Lounge to collect KSh16 million for the team, noting that he believed such a gesture was entirely possible.
“They wish to be considered in that appreciation token. The team comprises 16 members. if that is agreeable, I might pass by the state lounge to collect 16 million for the team, and I know that is possible,” he added
The football match
This comes a day after Bunge Football Club, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, thrashed the team from the Council of Governors during a friendly match at the ongoing devolution conference in Homa Bay County.
The more experienced Bunge side, led by Mombasa Senator Mohammed Faki, displayed dominance from the first whistle to the final moments of the game organised at the Tom Mboya University grounds.
“The high-energy clash, played before an enthusiastic crowd of conference delegates, showcased Bunge FC’s attacking prowess from the onset, with the legislators outpacing and outmanoeuvring their county counterparts in the game,” a statement from Parliament reads in part.