How much each Harambee Starlets player pocketed from President Ruto's Ksh10 million bonus
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 16.07.26. | 17:32
The payment came just in time after a tense standoff on Wednesday morning, when the national women's team staged a go-slow hours before their scheduled departure to France
Harambee Starlets players and members of the technical bench have each received Ksh250,000 from the Ksh10 million bonus awarded by President William Ruto during a breakfast meeting at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday.
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The President rewarded Harambee Starlets with Ksh10 million for securing qualification to the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), while the Junior Starlets also received Ksh10 million after qualifying for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup.
The payment came just in time after a tense standoff on Wednesday morning, when the national women's team staged a go-slow hours before their scheduled departure to France, threatening not to travel until their outstanding allowances were settled.
The government moved swiftly to defuse the situation by releasing the promised Ksh10 million bonus and committing to clear all pending allowances owed to the players dating back to April last year before midnight on Wednesday.
Sports Principal Secretary Elijah Mwangi confirmed that the funds had been disbursed as the team departed for its pre-WAFCON training camp in France, saying the government wanted the players to focus fully on the tournament without any distractions.
"We are here to give moral support to our Starlets as they head for WAFCON in Morocco," Mwangi said while seeing off the team at Kandanda House.
He revealed that the released bonus was in line with President Ruto's pledge during Tuesday's State House meeting.
"The President promised the girls that they would be given Ksh10 million for their facilitation and, as they can confirm, the money has already been given to them," the PS said.
Mwangi further disclosed that the government is working on an additional performance-based reward package should Harambee Starlets progress further in the tournament.
According to the PS, the incentive structure is expected to mirror the model adopted for Harambee Stars during the African Nations Championship (CHAN), although the exact figures are still under discussion.
"We shall continue supporting them through the different stages as part of motivation, and we are working on an agreeable figure for them," he added.
Mwangi also dismissed claims of a funding crisis in Kenyan sports, insisting the government remains committed to adequately supporting all national teams representing the country on the international stage.