Harambee Stars offered two-bedroom homes after CHAN exit

President William Ruto has pledged to ensure every Harambee Stars player becomes a homeowner through the government’s Affordable Housing Programme, following the team’s recent campaign in the African Nations Championship (CHAN).

Speaking on Thursday during a luncheon held at State House in honour of the national team, Ruto shared a tailored home ownership plan designed specifically for the players.

He said the initiative, which falls under the government’s broader housing programme, will see each player benefit from a two-bedroom unit valued at 2 million shillings.

“We will pay half of the amount, Sh1 million, and you pay the remaining Sh1 million,” Ruto explained.

He added that players would also have the option of paying for the houses through a mortgage arrangement spread over 20 years.

“Alternatively, we can provide a mortgage that you can pay over 20 years, which will cost about Sh2,000 to Sh3,000 a month. This makes it affordable.”

The President made it clear that the offer does not involve any cash payout. “There is no room for exchanging the house for money. There is only the house.”

He also said players could select the location of their homes based on where they prefer to live. “I know the team has registered with Boma Yangu—so go ahead and choose the two-bedroom house in any town,” he said, citing options such as Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, and other rollout areas.

While outlining the housing plan, Ruto also took a moment to reflect on the team’s performance in the CHAN tournament. He acknowledged their effort and joked about his absence during the match.

“One friend of mine even told me I was responsible for Harambee Stars’ loss because I was absent from the field. For a moment, I thought maybe he was right. Maybe I should have been there in person to encourage these friends of mine. But I promise next time I will be there,” he said.

The President applauded the team for lifting the nation’s spirit and uniting Kenyans across the country, saying their participation brought pride to the country, especially as Kenya hosted a continental fixture for the first time in four decades.

Looking ahead, Ruto urged the players to start preparing for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027, where Kenya is expected to take part as a co-host.

“We know that AFCON is much more difficult, but we will be much more prepared this time round. Work with FKF as we build momentum towards 2027,” he said.