Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) leader Kalonzo Musyoka has once again saluted the Harambee Stars for their spirited run in the ongoing Total Energies CHAN 2024, drawing inspiration from the Kenyan National Anthem in a message that blended pride, hope, and unity.

Posting on X on Sunday, August 24, 2025, Kalonzo praised the team’s resilience and invoked the anthem’s stirring call: “Let one and all arise; with hearts both strong and true… Firm may we stand to defend.” He described the players as a squad that “dared to defy the norm, rose up to the impossible, and made us all dream and believe.”

His renewed message came two days after Kenya’s quarter-final heartbreak at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani, where the Stars were knocked out by Madagascar on penalties following a tense 1-1 draw.

Unwavering spirit

Earlier, Kalonzo turned his attention to supporters, lauding their unwavering spirit. He hailed the fans as the “#TwelfthMan,” saying their voices rang “loudly and proudly in every corner of our beautiful land.” He urged them to continue rallying behind the Stars in the ongoing CHAN tournament and beyond.

Alongside Kalonzo, opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua and Cleophas Malala were among those who joined Kenyans at Kasarani to cheer the national team. The electrifying atmosphere at the stadium, amplified across the country, underscored football’s unmatched power to unite Kenyans across divides.

The WPF leader’s message was also laced with faith, quoting Isaiah 40:31: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…” He wished Kenyans a blessed week ahead, framing the team’s fighting spirit as a lesson in resilience and renewal.

Focus shifts

Kalonzo’s words echoed sentiments from other national leaders. State House spokesperson Hussein Mohammed remarked, “Never before in my lifetime have I witnessed a Kenyan national football team unite the country and embody the soul of the nation.” Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi added, “We bow out with pride. The Harambee Stars fought bravely, and though the journey ends here, the dream lives on. The future is bright.”

Attention now shifts to the Harambee Stars’ preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers under coach Benni McCarthy. Kenya will host The Gambia on September 5 and Seychelles on September 10 at Kasarani.

With six points and sixth place in Group F, optimism remains high. Standout players such as Mansur Okwaro and Ryan Ogam have lifted hopes, while McCarthy maintains faith in qualification chances. “The group is still very open… We have five games to go, and there are plenty of points on offer for everyone,” he said.

Kalonzo’s anthem-inspired call to “arise with hearts both strong and true” captured both a sporting and national moment—one that honours Harambee Stars’ efforts while urging Kenyans to stand together in unity and resilience.