National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has weighed in on the ongoing debate surrounding President William Ruto’s multi-million pledge of incentives to Harambee Stars following their recent performances at the ongoing African Nations Championship (CHAN) tournament, in which the national team exited at the quarter-final stage.

Speaking on Thursday, August 28, 2025, during an interview with a local TV station, Mbadi said he has no apologies for allocating resources to support the national football team.

He argued that it is the responsibility of the government to invest in sports, adding that Kenya cannot afford to neglect its athletes while claiming to nurture talent and patriotism.

“If I were in a position to allocate a budget for Harambee Stars, and I am, I would do it because we need to promote sports. The country is not lacking resources in that space. Are we not supposed to support a national team? Should we not reward players if they have done well? I would not have any apology to make for spending on Harambee Stars,” Mbadi stated.

His remarks come after questions were raised by a section of Kenyans and leaders on where the government would get money for the promised cash rewards to the team, given the country’s current economic constraints.

Sports investment

Mbadi dismissed the concerns, emphasising that supporting Harambee Stars and other national teams goes beyond money—it is an investment in national pride and youth empowerment.

He further noted that sports remain a unifying factor in the country, and financial incentives are one way of motivating players to deliver even better results on the global stage.

Ruto’s Harambee Stars’ incentives

Harambee Stars’ fairytale run in the 2025 African Nations Championship (CHAN) ended in heartbreak on Friday, August 22, after a 4-3 penalty shoot-out loss to Madagascar at the Moi Sports Centre, Kasarani.

The painful exit not only denied Kenya a chance at the semifinals but also cost the team millions in government-promised rewards, dampening what had been a historic campaign that ignited national pride.

Ahead of the tournament, President William Ruto pledged lucrative incentives to boost the players’ morale. The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) outlined the package: Ksh1 million per player for each win, Ksh500,000 for a draw, Ksh60 million collectively for reaching the quarterfinals, Ksh70 million for the semifinals, and a staggering Ksh600 million for lifting the trophy.

The pledges energised the camp. On August 2, 2025, just before the Group A opener, Ruto—flanked by Sports CS Salim Mvurya and FKF officials—visited the squad, underscoring the government’s 15 per cent rise in sports funding and commitment to football.

Stars responded with grit and flair. On August 3, 2025, Austin Odhiambo’s stunning strike secured a 1-0 win over DR Congo, earning each player and technical staff Ksh1 million, promptly disbursed by August 4, 2025.

The team’s resilience shone again on August 17, 2025, with another 1-0 win over Zambia, prompting Ruto to increase the reward to Ksh2.5 million per player, in celebrations joined by opposition leader Raila Odinga.