How Harambee Stars Have Made Sh232M Cash So Far From CHAN 2024

Kenya’s national football team, Harambee Stars, has accumulated an impressive Sh232 million in allowances, bonuses, and prize money from their historic run in the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN), despite their quarter-final elimination by Madagascar.

The substantial windfall, revealed by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed during a television interview on Sunday, represents the most lucrative campaign in the team’s recent history and underscores the growing financial rewards in African football.

The money comes from multiple sources, with the largest chunk attributed to performance bonuses promised by President William Ruto. According to Hussein, the federation itself has disbursed Sh21 million in allowances to 27 players and the technical team, while the remainder comes from presidential bonuses tied to the team’s on-field success.

“Whatever the team gets is the effort of the federation; the federation does everything in its power to make sure that we remunerate the team well,” Hussein explained during his appearance on Citizen TV.

The FKF president confirmed that while 24 players are covered by government allowances, the federation has taken responsibility for the additional three players, with about four or five players still awaiting their payments.

Presidential Bonuses Drive the Windfall

President Ruto’s generous incentive scheme has been the primary driver of the team’s earnings. Throughout the tournament, each player received Sh1 million for every victory and Sh500,000 for each draw. The President later increased these amounts, promising Sh2.5 million per player for a quarter-final victory against Zambia.

The Stars’ journey included notable victories against DR Congo and Morocco, as well as draws that triggered the bonus payments. Their stunning 1-0 victory over two-time CHAN champions DR Congo alone netted each player Sh1 million, while their historic win against Morocco – their first-ever victory over the North African giants – triggered another round of million-shilling bonuses.

Beyond the presidential bonuses and federation allowances, Harambee Stars earned Sh58.2 million in prize money from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) for reaching the quarter-finals. This amount is part of a record Sh1.3 billion prize purse distributed across all participating teams in the tournament.

The CAF prize money structure rewarded teams progressively for their advancement, with quarter-finalists guaranteed $450,000 (approximately Sh58 million). Had Kenya progressed further, they would have earned significantly more, with the eventual winners set to pocket millions more.

The substantial payouts reflect the Kenyan government’s renewed commitment to sports development. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki recently affirmed that the state would increase investment in Harambee Stars and sports generally, recognizing the potential for athletes to earn livelihoods through their talents.

“We are committed to improving all the sports fields so that youth can utilise their talents and earn their living,” Kindiki stated, signaling continued government support for the national team.

However, the distribution of the prize money has not been without controversy. Hussein revealed that while most payments have been processed, some players and staff members are still awaiting their dues. The federation has had to balance payments between those covered by government funding and additional players they support independently.

There have also been concerns raised on social media about how the CAF prize money will be shared among players, technical staff, and the federation itself, though Hussein indicated that these distributions would follow established protocols.

A New Financial Era for Kenyan Football

The Sh232 million earned represents a watershed moment for Kenyan football, demonstrating the potential financial rewards that come with improved performance on the continental stage. The amount far exceeds what the national team has historically earned from international competitions.

This financial success comes as Kenya continues to invest in football infrastructure and player development, co-hosting CHAN 2024 alongside Uganda and Tanzania under the “Pamoja” (Together) banner. The tournament has provided valuable exposure and financial returns that could fuel further investment in the sport.

Despite their quarter-final exit following a heartbreaking penalty shootout loss to Madagascar, Harambee Stars’ CHAN 2024 campaign has been hailed as a success both financially and in terms of performance. The team’s ability to defeat established football powers like Morocco and reach the quarter-finals has restored pride in Kenyan football.

The substantial earnings from this tournament are expected to motivate players and provide the federation with additional resources to continue developing football infrastructure and programs across the country. As Captain Aboud Omar noted in his post-tournament message, the team has promised to “rise again,” armed now with both experience and significant financial backing.

The Sh232 million windfall serves as tangible proof that investment in sports can yield both sporting and financial dividends, potentially inspiring continued government and private sector support for Kenyan football in the years ahead.