The Deputy President, at the same time, said the Government would use sporting activities to unite the country.
Ruto said to boost the morale of the players and promote sporting activities in the country; more efforts were being made to fix issues of football once and for all.
“If you qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations, the Government will give you Shs 50million. We will talk about the rest when we reach there,” said Ruto.
Hosting the Harambee Stars players for a breakfast meeting at his Karen office, Nairobi, the Deputy President said the Government has come up with an elaborate programme to promote football beginning from the grassroots to enable players develop their talents early.
The meeting, which was, attended Sports CS Hassan Wario and President of Football Kenya Federation (FKF), Nick Mwendwa, comes in the wake of the win by Harambee Starts last Sunday against Zanzibar in CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup held at the Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos County.
The team received Sh5million from the Deputy President following their win against Zanzibar.
Ruto said President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed the Ministry of Sports to give Shs 10million to the players ahead of the Christmas Festive season.
“You guys made all of us across the country, from all communities, all faiths and political affiliations proud, as one nation, one proud Kenya,” said Ruto.
“The Government recognizes your hard work and commitment in improving sports and make our country famous in football,” he added.
The Deputy President said sporting activities have greater potential to unite all Kenyans irrespective of their political, faiths and political affiliations.
“Sports has proved to bring together many people and nations. This is why we want to use football to unite our country,” said Ruto.
He said the Government would continue to recognize the efforts of the country’s sportsmen/women who excel in various fields.
The Deputy President said Sh1billion was set aside last year to recognide the country’s sportsmen/women, saying already Sh500,000 has been used.
-The Star|DPPS