Musician Kevin Bahati's publicised KSh 1 million pledge to the Harambee Stars, made before their victory against Morocco, has reportedly not yet been delivered.
Ulinzi Stars player Boniface Muchiri, speaking on Citizen TV on Sunday night, just hours after Kenya beat Zambia 1-0, revealed that the promised funds had not yet materialized.
Player's Perspective on Unfulfilled Pledge
Despite Bahati's public explanations and reaffirmations, the money has seemingly not yet reached the Harambee Stars players. Ulinzi Stars player Boniface Muchiri's recent comments indicate this.
"Bahati promised, and we don't know if he has brought it... We don't know if he has given it out,” Muchiri said.
The Initial Promise
Singer Kevin Bahati and his wife, Diana Marua, had publicly promised to gift the Harambee Stars KSh 1 million. This pledge was made before the kick-off of their crucial African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 match against Morocco.
Bahati assured fans he would deliver the money immediately after the game if the team won.
ALSO READ:Bahati's Harambee Stars 1 Million Promise: What Went Wrong?
The Harambee Stars delivered on their part. On Sunday, 10 August, they secured a thrilling 1-0 victory over Morocco at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. Ryan Ogam scored the decisive goal that put Kenya a step closer to the CHAN quarter-finals.
The Promised Funds Unseen
However, as national celebrations continued, some supporters noted that Bahati’s promised cash reward had yet to be delivered. This prompted public calls for the artist to honour his word.
Addressing the mounting pressure, Bahati later posted a video from his home. In the video, he was dressed in a Harambee Stars jersey and appeared to be holding the KSh 1 million in cash.
Bahati's Explanation for the Delay
Bahati explained that CAF (Confederation of African Football) regulations had prevented him from accessing the players directly in the changing rooms after the match.
“I promised to gift Harambee Stars KSh 1 million,” Bahati stated. He emphasised that he wanted the gift to go "directly into the hands of the players themselves".
He reiterated, “Because of CAF rules, I couldn’t access the changing rooms after the game. I’m a man of my word, so let me call Mariga and make arrangements to deliver the money”.
Bahati then allegedly telephoned Football Kenya Federation (FKF) deputy chairperson McDonald Mariga where he requested approval to hand the money to the players.
ALSO READ:What Harambee Stars Captain Abud Omar Will Do With His KES 2.5 Million Reward
Bahati expressed his intention to present the gift on the training pitch to avoid breaching any FKF protocols. He even joked about potentially bringing KSh 3 million.
In a caption to his video clip, Bahati reaffirmed his commitment, stating: “AHADI NI DENI!!! Just spoke with FKF Deputy Chairperson @Mariga77. He has allowed us to hand over the KSh 1 million to the Harambee Stars players. As CEO of Bahati.Bet, I am committed to supporting the Stars until we win this CHAN”.
Harambee Stars' Journey Continues
The Harambee Stars' 1-0 victory over Morocco was a significant step towards the CHAN quarter-finals. Their subsequent 1-0 win over Zambia further solidifies their position.
The team is now focused on their quarter-final match against Madagascar on Friday, hoping to secure the necessary points to progress to the next stage.
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