Presidential Incentive Fuels Starlets' Victory

NAIROBI, KENYA – Kenya's national women's football team, the Harambee Starlets, received a significant financial boost on Friday, October 24, 2025, after President William Ruto awarded the squad KSh 10 million following their crucial 3-1 victory over The Gambia. The match, held at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi, was the first leg of the final qualifying round for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON). The reward is part of a broader government strategy to incentivize sporting excellence and elevate the status of national teams.

The financial package was structured in two parts: an initial KSh 5 million was disbursed to the team before the match as a motivational incentive, with an additional KSh 5 million awarded immediately after their victory. The announcement was conveyed by government officials at the stadium, including Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya and Principal Secretary for Sports, Elijah Mwangi, who represented the President. In a pre-match video call with the team, President Ruto personally offered his encouragement, a gesture head coach Beldine Odemba later described as a significant morale booster. “Motivation always has a positive impact on the team... if they get a promise from the President, it is a big thing for us,” Odemba stated after the match.

A Commanding Performance on Home Soil

Despite conceding an early goal to Gambian forward Fatoumata Kanteh just three minutes into the match, the Harambee Starlets mounted a formidable comeback. Veteran forward Mwanahalima Adam equalized from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. Goals from Fasila Adhiambo and Shirleen Opisa before halftime secured the commanding 3-1 lead, giving Kenya a vital advantage ahead of the return leg scheduled for October 28 in Thiès, Senegal.

The victory places the Starlets in a strong position to qualify for the 2026 WAFCON, which will be hosted by Morocco. This would mark their first appearance in the continental tournament since their debut in 2016. Coach Odemba emphasized that the team's primary motivation remains the desire to compete on Africa's biggest stage. “The girls are motivated to win because they want to play at WAFCON. It has been nine years... there is that urge and hunger to qualify for it,” she said.

Government's Broader Sports Agenda

President Ruto's administration has consistently implemented a policy of rewarding national athletes for success. This approach has been extended to the men's national team, Harambee Stars, and medalists from the Olympics and World Athletics Championships. The President has also pledged further incentives for the Starlets' away game, promising KSh 1 million for each player for a win that secures qualification, and KSh 500,000 each for a draw that achieves the same result.

This policy aligns with the government's Talanta Hela initiative, which aims to nurture and monetize talent in sports and the creative arts. Speaking on the government's commitment, Sports CS Salim Mvurya reaffirmed the President's dedication to transforming the sports sector through tangible support. The financial rewards are sourced from the Ministry of Sports' reward scheme, with President Ruto often topping up the amounts to amplify the incentive.

A New Era for Kenyan Football?

The support comes at a pivotal time for Kenyan football administration. In December 2024, Hussein Mohammed was elected the new President of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF), succeeding Nick Mwendwa. Mohammed, who campaigned on a platform of integrity and attracting corporate sponsorship, has emphasized the need for strong governance to build investor confidence. The direct presidential rewards to players serve as both a motivational tool and a stop-gap measure as the federation works to establish long-term financial stability for the sport.

While the immediate cash injection is a welcome development for the players, it also highlights the ongoing need for sustainable funding models within Kenyan sports, a challenge the new FKF leadership aims to address. For now, the Harambee Starlets' focus is firmly on the upcoming match in Senegal, where a positive result will not only secure their place in the 2026 WAFCON but also validate the growing investment and attention being directed towards women's football in Kenya.