NAIROBI, KENYA – The Harambee Starlets have secured a place in the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) for the first time since 2016, a landmark achievement that Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has directly linked to increased and structured support from the Kenyan government. The team sealed their qualification on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, after a 1-0 victory over The Gambia in Thiès, Senegal, winning the final qualifying round tie 4-1 on aggregate.

In a series of public statements, Mohammed has emphasized the critical role of the government's financial interventions in motivating the team and facilitating their successful campaign. This support included a significant financial package announced by President William Ruto ahead of the crucial two-legged qualifier against The Gambia. On Friday, October 24, 2025, President Ruto pledged Ksh5 million to the team to boost their morale before the first leg in Nairobi. He further promised substantial performance-based bonuses, including Ksh5 million for a home win, Ksh1 million for each player for an away win that secured qualification, and Ksh500,000 each for a draw away that secured qualification.

Following the Starlets' decisive 3-1 home victory at Nyayo National Stadium, Mohammed publicly thanked the President, stating, “Grateful to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto for his generous support... Your support continues to inspire confidence and belief in our women's football.” This sentiment was echoed by the team's head coach, Beldine Odemba, who acknowledged the motivational impact of the President's promises on the players, even as she maintained their primary drive was the desire to compete on the continental stage after a long absence.

A Coordinated Effort for Success

The government's backing is part of a broader, more collaborative framework between the Ministry of Sports and FKF, aimed at revitalizing Kenyan football. This renewed partnership has been pivotal since the lifting of a FIFA suspension in late 2022. In an address to a parliamentary sports committee on April 8, 2025, Hussein Mohammed outlined the federation's strategic plan, highlighting the need for increased investment in women's football to bring it to par with the men's game. He stressed that consistent government funding was essential to bridge deficits and properly remunerate national team players.

The qualification journey saw the Starlets overcome Tunisia in a tough preliminary round before facing The Gambia. After a goalless first leg in Nairobi, the team secured a vital 1-0 away win in Sousse, Tunisia, on February 26, 2025, a victory President Ruto also publicly celebrated, stating the team's performance had made the nation proud.

This support for the women's team mirrors the government's recent financial backing for the men's national team, the Harambee Stars. In August 2025, the government disbursed Ksh42 million to the Stars' players and technical bench following a win during the African Nations Championship (CHAN). Such incentives are part of a wider government strategy to foster success across all national sports disciplines.

Implications for Kenyan and East African Football

The Starlets' qualification is a significant milestone for women's football in Kenya and the wider East Africa region. It demonstrates a tangible return on investment and provides a compelling case for sustained corporate and governmental support for women's sports. The achievement is expected to inspire a new generation of female footballers and could elevate the profile and competitiveness of domestic leagues, such as the FKF Women Premier League, which has also received funding support through the FIFA Forward Programme.

Furthermore, the successful collaboration between FKF and the government could serve as a model for other nations in the region. On September 3, 2025, President Ruto announced the formation of a technical committee to formalize partnerships between the government, FKF, and the private sector to streamline sponsorships and talent development. This structured approach, combined with Kenya's successful bids to co-host the 2024 CHAN and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), signals a clear intent to re-establish Kenya as a regional football powerhouse.

As the Harambee Starlets prepare for the WAFCON finals in Morocco, their success has already validated the strategy of direct government support. For FKF, the challenge now is to leverage this momentum to build a sustainable ecosystem for women's football, ensuring that this historic qualification is not an isolated event but the beginning of a consistent presence on the continental stage.