President William Ruto has reaffirmed his government’s commitment to increasing investment in sports, saying countries that excel on the global stage begin by nurturing young talent long before athletes achieve international success.
The President made the remarks on Tuesday while hosting Kenya’s senior and under-17 women’s national football teams at State House, Nairobi, following their historic qualification for major international tournaments.
The Harambee Starlets booked their place at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), returning Kenya to the continent’s premier women’s football competition, while the Junior Starlets secured qualification for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, marking the country’s second consecutive appearance at the global showpiece.
Congratulating the players, coaches and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) officials, President Ruto described the teams’ achievements as a reflection of the country’s growing investment in women’s football and an inspiration to thousands of young girls aspiring to pursue the sport.
“Nations that excel in sports invest in young people long before they are known,” the President said, adding that the government is strengthening grassroots talent development through the Kenya Academy of Sports, schools and other sports development programmes.
Ruto said the government’s support for sports extends beyond infrastructure development to direct financial investment aimed at improving athletes’ welfare and competitiveness.
He revealed that the government spent KSh4.5 billion last year on the national teams, covering players’ allowances, training kits, accommodation and other logistical needs to ensure Kenyan athletes compete with dignity on the international stage.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to expanding sports infrastructure, enhancing player welfare and creating more opportunities for young athletes to develop their talent from the grassroots to the elite level.
The State House reception celebrated two landmark achievements for Kenyan women’s football.
The Harambee Starlets earned qualification for the 2026 WAFCON after a successful qualifying campaign, setting up a return to Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament, which will be hosted in Morocco.
Meanwhile, the Junior Starlets, under the guidance of head coach Mildred Cheche, secured a second successive FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup berth after defeating South Africa 3-1 in Nairobi to complete a 5-1 aggregate victory in the final qualifying round.
The achievement cements Kenya’s emergence as one of the continent’s rising forces in women’s youth football following the team’s historic World Cup debut in 2024.
Coach Mildred Cheche welcomed the recognition, saying it reflects the growing confidence in women’s football and provides added motivation for the team as preparations begin for the World Cup.
President Ruto praised both squads for serving as ambassadors of the nation, saying their discipline, resilience and determination had demonstrated that Kenyan women can compete successfully on the biggest stages of world football.
He urged the players to remain focused as they prepare for their respective tournaments, assuring them of continued government support to help them perform at their best.
The reception brought together government officials, FKF leadership, technical benches and players from both national teams, with the President commending them for flying Kenya’s flag high and inspiring the next generation of female footballers.
Attention now shifts to preparations for the two tournaments, with the Junior Starlets gearing up for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in Morocco, while the Harambee Starlets begin their build-up for the 2026 WAFCON as Kenya seeks to make a strong return to continental competition.
