George Natembeya Slammed for Questioning Ruto’s KSh 1m Reward to Harambee Stars: "Misplaced"
- Trans Nzoia governor George Natembeya is on the spot for questioning President William Ruto's decision to reward the Harambee Stars
- Northern Kenya Chairman for People With Disabilities (PwD), Hafid Maalim, is one of those who have called out Natembeya
- Hafid shared his thoughts on Natembeya's criticism while lauding Ruto's kind gesture to Harambee Stars players
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has been castigated for faulting President William Ruto's decision to reward Harambee Stars players KSh 1 million each for every win registered in the ongoing CHAN tournament.
Source: Facebook
Northern Kenya Chairman for People With Disabilities (PwD) Hafid Maalim asked Natembeya and his friends in the opposition to find value in rewarding the players, noting that the move is patriotic and worth every penny promised.
Hafid termed the criticism of the reward as misplaced noise and disruptive.
"The noise by a group of politicians regarding the president's donation of a million shillings to each of the Harambee Stars players is misplaced. The president is the father of the nation and among his many roles is giving hope to the citizenry," Hafid told TUKO.co.ke
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Did Natembeya question Ruto's source of money?
Governor Natembeya had questioned the source of the money given to the players, arguing that it was not budgeted for.
Source: Facebook
However, the government, through the Ministry of Sports, confirmed that the money is part of the funds the government set aside to promote talent and creativity.
The ministry released KSh 42 million following Harambee Stars' win against DR Congo on Sunday at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) 2024 opener.
The president had promised KSh 1 million for every win, half a million for a draw, and KSh 600 million if the Stars win the tournament.
Hafid calls on Kenyans to support Ruto's move.
This gesture, according to Hafid, must be supported by all Kenyans from all walks of life. He told the opposition to stop opposing everything without offering alternatives.
"Next, they will start blaming him for even breathing. In as much we are into politics, we need to know when to put the nation first," he added.
He also called out Wiper Democratic Front party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua for agitating for anti-government chants now famously known as Wantam chants in the stadium.
"I have seen them say the government blocked people who were set to make political chants, but I think it's the responsibility of the government to defend the integrity of the tournament, which is being televised worldwide," he added.
Hafid called on Kenyans to come out in large numbers for Thursday's match against Angola.
Did William Ruto give Harambee Stars his reward?
This comes days after Ruto honoured his promise and released KSh 42 million as a reward to the Harambee Stars football players after their tournament win.
Harambee Stars defeated the Democratic Republic of Congo in the CHAN 2024 opener.
In a statement issued on Monday, August 4, State House confirmed the disbursement of the funds following the 1-0 triumph.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
