Ruto Met with the Starlets and Junior Starlets

They pulled up to the gates of the State House in two buses. The Harambee Starlets in blue, the Junior Starlets in green. Matatu drivers passing by honked at them. Someone leaned out of a window and shouted: “Go, girls!”

Inside, behind the high walls, the president was waiting for them. And breakfast. But not just breakfast – a conversation that fans are already discussing on social media and on platforms like 888casino. Because at this breakfast, it wasn’t tactics being decided – it was human lives.

What the Girls Asked For

The captains of the two national teams didn’t beat around the bush. They came with specific requests. And every single one of them concerned not football on the pitch, but life beyond it.

Mwananlima Adam, captain of the Harambee Starlets, spoke on behalf of the entire team. She told them where they come from. From informal settlements in Nairobi. No water, no toilets, no proper roads. Many players share one room with five relatives. Training ends – and they go back to the slums.

Beverlin Awour, captain of the Junior Starlets, raised a topic that is whispered about in Kenya: injuries. A professional athlete who tears their cruciate ligaments is often left without help. Surgery costs between 300,000 and 600,000 shillings. There’s no insurance. The club often refuses to pay. The girl is left alone with an injured leg and no prospects.

The players also reminded him about outstanding payments. They still haven’t been paid for the qualifying matches. The total debt owed to both teams reached 33 million shillings.

What the President Promised

Ruto listened carefully. He didn’t interrupt. Then he responded to each point. His promises were clear and public – in front of journalists, coaches, and the entire team.

Here’s what he said:

Medical insurance. “You asked for medical insurance – I agree with you 100%. From now on, we will make sure you have insurance that covers everything, including the surgery you mentioned.” Now all national team players will be insured through the Social Health Authority.

Housing. “No Kenyan should live in such conditions. You asked for housing – we will do it.” The president promised to include the footballers in the affordable housing programme.

Money. He reminded them how the government supported the men’s national team at CHAN 2024: one million for a win, 500,000 for a draw. “We will walk with you just as we walked with Harambee Stars,” Ruto said. And he immediately confirmed: the Junior Starlets receive 10 million shillings for qualifying for the World Cup. The Harambee Starlets – another 10 million for qualifying for WAFCON.

Clearing the debts. All 33 million shillings in outstanding payments were fully settled right before the meeting.

The Numbers That Came Up Over Breakfast

The president didn’t just promise. He showed that the government had already invested serious money in sport. And he cited specific figures:

• 4.5 billion shillings – funding for national teams in the past financial year
• 10,000 – young athletes covered by development programmes
• 6,000 – coaches and specialists undergoing training
• 32 – stadiums being built across Kenya
• 95% – readiness of Talanta Sports City

“This achievement is no accident,” Ruto said. “Countries that consistently succeed in sport invest in young people long before the world knows their names.”

Who Was at the Breakfast

Around the table were not only players and the president. Also present were:

• Sports Secretary Elijah Mwangi – oversees all sports programmes
• FKF President Hussein Mohammed – the country’s top football official
• Mildred Cheche – Junior Starlets coach, who already led the team to the 2024 World Cup
• Beldine Odemba – Harambee Starlets coach, preparing the team for WAFCON
• The captains of both teams – Mwananlima Adam and Beverlin Awour
• 16‑year‑old Elizabeth Opio – the youngest participant, balancing football and athletics

Each of them had their say. But perhaps the most touching moment was when Ruto addressed Opio. He looked at her and said: “Your journey reminds us that perfection has no age, and that discipline in the classroom and on the pitch reinforce each other.”

Comparison of Two Tournaments: A Table

To understand the scale, here’s what awaits both teams in the coming months:

Both teams are heading to Morocco. Both have received presidential support. And both know: results are expected of them.

What Changed After the Meeting

The meeting at the State House was a turning point. Not because the president made promises – promises are often made in Kenya. But because he did it publicly, in front of witnesses, and named specific amounts and deadlines.

The players felt heard. Mwananlima Adam said after the meeting: “I am grateful to the president for listening to us. Today he did his part – now it’s our turn to go and fight for the country.”

Mildred Cheche added: “We have the president’s word. He will support us all the way to Morocco.”

And most importantly, the tone of the conversation about women’s football has changed. Before, the girls were fighting for survival. Now they’re fighting for victories. And that makes all the difference.

What’s Next?

The Harambee Starlets have already flown to France. The five‑day camp in Miras is the final stage before WAFCON. There they will acclimatise, work on fitness and psychology, then take a direct flight to Morocco, where the tournament opener against the hosts awaits them on 26 July.

The Junior Starlets are still preparing at home. Their tournament starts in October, but preparations are in full swing. They know the whole country is watching them. After their historic World Cup qualification in 2024, they are expected to repeat that success.

The president’s parting words were: “Go and win.”

They are on their way. Morocco awaits. And all of Kenya will be watching – on TV, on social media, in the stadiums. Because these girls are not just footballers. They are symbols of change.