Diaspora politician challenges legality of Ruto's Sh42m Harambee Stars reward

Canada-based Kenyan politician Lucy Jeffrey. [Courtesy] Canada-based Kenyan politician Lucy Jeffrey has questioned the legality of President William Ruto's much-praised Sh42 million cash gift to Harambee Stars. Jeffery claimed that due process was not followed in disbursing the funds, stating that it was initially thought the amount was from Ruto's personal account. The TV host said she was initially among those who celebrated what they believed was a personal show of generosity from the Head of State after the team's historic 1-0 win against the Democratic Republic of Congo in a CHAN 2024 qualifier at Kasarani. However, her applause quickly turned to shock after it emerged that the money did not come from Ruto's personal account but from the Ministry of Sports. "If this was his personal money, it should have come from his personal bank account, not through a government ministry," Jeffrey stated in a strongly worded post on her social media pages. Jeffrey argued that such a move would be unthinkable in other developed countries, including Canada, where she resides. She said, "If it was public money, then it should have gone through the proper channels, approved by Parliament, and included in the national budget. That is the law." "This would never happen in Canada... Can this happen in the countries where you live?" Jeffery posed. The revelation cast a shadow over a moment that was meant to be purely celebratory. President Ruto had also pledged a staggering Sh600 million to support the team, drawing both praise for his commitment to sports and criticism over the allocation of public resources. Jeffrey, who recently declared her interest in the Westlands constituency seat after incumbent Tim Wanyonyi was endorsed for a gubernatorial seat in Bungoma, said her concern is not rooted in politics but in priorities. While she welcomed rewarding players for their hard work, she suggested a capped amount, such as Sh1 million per player, would still be generous, with the rest directed to urgent social needs. "At this very moment, millions of Kenyans are struggling. Mothers are choosing between food and medicine for their children," she noted. Her comments have sparked fierce debate online, with supporters applauding her call for transparency, while critics accuse her of politicising a national celebration. The national government released Sh42 million to reward Kenya's football heroes after their latest tournament win Ruto's earlier pledge to each player and technical team member was fulfilled, confirming with more incentives on the table if Harambee Stars maintain their winning streak in upcoming CHAN fixtures.

Diaspora politician challenges legality of Ruto's Sh42m Harambee Stars reward

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Diaspora politician challenges legality of Ruto's Sh42m Harambee Stars reward

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