If the Harambee Starlets needed any extra motivation to leave everything on the pitch at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, President William Ruto just gave them ten million reasons to go all out.
Ahead of their continental campaign in Morocco, President Ruto hosted the national team alongside the Junior Starlets at State House in Nairobi to celebrate their historic qualification. But he didn’t just stop at giving them a pat on the back and a warm handshake—he put some serious money on the table.
The President officially pledged a staggering Ksh 10 million bonus for every single match the Starlets win during the tournament.
For a team that fought tooth and nail to secure their spot among Africa’s elite, the financial backing comes as a huge vote of confidence from the state. Ruto made it clear that the government is fully behind the women’s game, emphasizing that performance-based rewards are now standard practice for national teams representing the flag on the international stage.
With the stakes higher than ever and millions of shillings up for grabs per victory, Beldine Odemba’s squad has every incentive to go toe-to-toe with the continent’s powerhouses.
The message from Nairobi is crystal clear: go out there, win matches, and bring home the bag.
