By Anderson Ojwang
President William Ruto could be doing everything earthly possible within his means to secure a second term, but his efforts keep on being watered down by the very people he has entrusted with responsibility.
In a moving, emotional and hearty speech by the President to the Harambee Starlets and Junior Starlets on their successes, Ruto was humbled by the captains’ speeches and expected no hitches as the Starlets were expected to depart for Morocco.
The excited and smiling President wished Kenya’s senior women’s football team success at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, while celebrating the Junior Starlets for securing a second consecutive qualification to the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
“Your journey reminds us that excellence has no age, and that discipline in the classroom and discipline on the playing field reinforce each other. You are going to Morocco to wear the colours of Kenya on the biggest stage in African football. There is no greater honour for any sportsman or sportswoman than representing your motherland before the world,” he said in glowing tribute.
In a touching and moving speech, Junior captain Beverly Awuor told the President that they come from a humble background in the sprawling Kanyas’ slums.
“We come from a very humble background, and the majority of our parents cannot afford medical cover. Affordable housing? We come from the slums. Remove us from the slums,” she said.
She said the journey to success has been thorny, but they decided to put the interest of the nation above the challenges.
“The journey has not been smooth sailing; we have had challenges. We have not looked at the challenges, but we fought to bring home success. Now we have qualified for the World Cup; we request medical cover for the players and the technical bench,” she said.
When the government officers lied to the President
President Ruto, sublimed by the success, innocently said all the outstanding allowances had been paid to the team.
“All other things have been done. I have been briefed by the Permanent Secretary for Sports, Elijah Mwangi, that all allowances have been paid, and we made sure that whatever it is that is on the part of the government has been done. He tells me he has already paid out Sh33 million to make sure all of us are going in the right direction. If there would be any other additional issue, I will make sure that everybody is taken care of,” he said.
President Ruto said his administration did not want the team distracted by unpaid allowances.
“If there is something still outstanding, we will make sure everybody is taken care of. We want you to play without a background that there is something outstanding. I promise you, when all this is done, we will come back and agree on the way forward,” he said.
When the officers could no longer conceal the truth anymore
The import of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution came into play when the team engaged in peaceful protest at the FKF Goal Project offices, immediately demanding payment of their outstanding allowances before departing for their final pre-WAFCON training camp in France.
The protesting players shouted “No money, no flight” while carrying twigs and water bottles.
Issue resolved
Harambee Starlets captain Mwanahalima Adam said the dispute was resolved and that they agreed to travel to France.
“Everything has now been sorted, and we are ready to travel to France to prepare well and give our best,” she said.
Mwangi engaged the Harambee Starlets and presented Sh10 million as a gift from President Ruto.
Payment
Harambee Starlets players received the outstanding FIFA Series allowances, with the only pending payments being allowances for the two international friendlies against Zambia and Lesotho played in Zambia, the two matches against Ivory Coast in Ivory Coast in 2025, and the ongoing WAFCON tournament allowances.
Hosting
This week the President has hosted various sports personalities, including Migori Youth Football Club and AFC Leopards, at State House. The move by the President to host the sporting fraternity will go a long way in mobilising and consolidating his vote block.
Shall we tell the President?
Did PS Mwangi lie to the President to make an unverified pronouncement on the payment of the players’ allowances? Shall we tell the President the truth about the outstanding allowances after his commitment?
