Ruto visits Harambee Stars ahead of the historic CHAN tournament
Emphasising the weight of the responsibility on the players’ shoulders, Ruto reminded Harambee Stars that they embody the collective aspirations of all Kenyans across the country, political divides, and religious backgrounds.
President William Ruto has pledged support to the Harambee Stars as they prepare to represent Kenya in the upcoming African Nations Championship (CHAN), scheduled for August.
During a surprise visit to the team's training session at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani, the Head of State urged the players to embrace the moment, bearing the hopes of all Kenyans.
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“I have come here as President of Kenya to say that we trust and believe in you. We believe in your capacity; we believe in your potential and we will proudly cheer you to victory,” said President Ruto shortly after inspecting the iconic stadium, one of the main venues for the tournament.
Emphasising the weight of the responsibility on the players’ shoulders, Ruto reminded them that they embody the collective aspirations of all Kenyans across the country, political divides, and religious backgrounds.
"We will support you, we will pray for you, and we will cheer for you; you can count on our unity in this matter. I want you to know that every Kenyan from every part of this republic, from every political side, and every religion are standing behind you,” Ruto said.
Ruto termed the hosting of the tournament "historic."
"When I made the decision for Kenya to bid for CHAN and AFCON, it was intentional and strategic. By God’s grace, we succeeded in securing the hosting rights for both tournaments. For the first time in our history, Kenya will host CHAN, and in 2027, we will have the honour of hosting AFCON. This is a proud and historic moment for our nation." He added.
Kenya, together with Tanzania and Uganda, successfully secured the rights to host Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027. The trio of East African nations will welcome Africa’s football giants for the tournament, marking the first time East Africa will host the event
The President was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Salim Mvurya (Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports), Soipan Tuya (Defence), and Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama.
CHAN, organised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF), stands out for its exclusive focus on players active in their home countries' domestic leagues. For Kenya, the tournament presents a golden opportunity to showcase local talent to a continental and global audience.
CHAN 2024 will run from August 2 to 30, jointly hosted by Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Kenya will open their campaign against DR Congo on August 3 at Kasarani Stadium.
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