Kenyan twittersphere was on Tuesday set ablaze by revelations that players of the senior men’s national team the Harambee Stars are earning a paltry $7.5 per day while in camp.
Through the hash tag #HarambeeStarsAllowances, outraged fans laid bare their feelings, with near unanimous calls for the Football Kenya Federation and the government to treat the team better.
Kerubo Momanyi termed it “appalling” paying the national team players Kshs 750 per day.
Appalling that #HarambeeStarsAllowances are 750sh per day. Then we get surprised when players shun call-ups to play the #SportpesaSuperCup!!
— Kerubo Momanyi (@VioMomoney) June 6, 2017
She was referring to a recent case in which four home-based professionals, who were summoned for national duty instead chose to honor a tournament in Tanzania, which promises lucrative incentives.
Harambee Stars are currently in camp in Machakos preparing for their Saturday 2019 Afcon qualifying match against Sierra Leone in Freetown.
Robert Muthomi, the FKF Chief Executive Officer, has since come out to clarify that the government tops the $7.5 with a similar amount as per the Salary and Remunerations Commission’s rates.
GOK rates for #HarambeeStarsAllowances are Kshs 750 per day this is in line with SRC recommendations. FKF supplements with another Kshs 750
— Robert Muthomi (@robert_muthomi) June 6, 2017
This means per day Harambee Stars player earns $15 while camping at home.
When camping away from home, the figure shoots to $50 per day.
Compared to Uganda, the Cranes earn $5.6 while camping at home and while away, they pocket $500. On top of that they are entitled to $27.84 home up keep for the days they spend away from family.
Kenya have not been to the Afcon since 2004 when they represented the country in Tunisia, while Uganda made it to the last edition held in Gabon early this year.
Stars have however been on the rise and are currently placed 76th in the FIFA world ranking – two places behind Uganda.
Hopes are high that with proper planning, they will finally break the 13 –year wait and a book a spot in the 2019 edition in Cameroon.
Since replacing the disgraced Sam Nyamweya regime, the current FKF leadership has been praised for improved welfare of all the national teams, nonetheless, the recent revelations leave a dent on their image.
