Ruto’s Pledge To Harambee Stars Hangs in Balance As Gov’t Disowns it. Deputy President William Ruto pledged to pay Kshs50 Million to Harambee stars team if they qualify for the continental challenge of AFCON 2019, which they did .
Principal Secretary in the ministry of sports Kirimi Kaberia while appearing before the Committee on Sports, Culture and Tourism on Tuesday distanced himself from the pledge saying the pronouncement was made in his absence.
Kaberia appeared before the committee chaired by the Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka to present the ministry’s budget proposal for the 2019-20 financial year. The PS expressed concern that the money is yet to be paid and could lead to low morale in the camp but made it clear it was not possible to factor it into the budget because the pronouncement by Ruto was not an official government position but a person pledge.
He however noted that the money wil be paid and it’s part of the Harambee Stars’ budget for the AFCON 2019 Kshs224 millions ahead of the continental challenge scheduled for Egypt starting June.
He added: “The promise must be honoured because failure to do so will trigger a hue and cry in the team and puncture the morale of the boys ahead of the tournament.”