When musician Kevin Bahati and his wife Diana Marua made a bold pledge to reward the Harambee Stars with KSh 1 million if they defeated Morocco in their CHAN 2024 Group A match, Kenyans were thrilled. The promise, made on August 9, 2025, added even more excitement to the already highly anticipated clash. True to their grit, the Harambee Stars rose to the occasion and stunned Morocco with a memorable victory, fulfilling their side of the deal.
However, what was meant to be a celebration of both sporting and patriotic spirit quickly turned into controversy. More than a week after the win, Bahati had not yet delivered the promised cash. In response to growing criticism, he explained that strict CAF rules had barred him from accessing the changing rooms to hand over the money immediately after the match. He further clarified that he was working with FKF deputy chair McDonald Mariga to find the right moment to give the players the money during a training session ahead of their next clash against Zambia.
But the players themselves soon cast doubt on Bahati’s explanation. In an interview with Citizen TV on August 17, 2025, some of the Harambee Stars revealed that they had only received their regular payouts from the President and nothing from Bahati. Their statement sparked anger among fans, many of whom took to social media to demand accountability.
“Ahadi ni deni,” some reminded him, urging the musician to honor his word. Others accused him of seeking publicity rather than genuinely supporting the team.
For Bahati, the pressure is mounting. While he insists that the delay was logistical and not intentional, the Harambee Stars’ disappointment and the public backlash have put his reputation at stake. For the players, the issue has shifted from money to principle—the expectation that promises, especially those made in public, should be fulfilled.
The incident has become a lesson in accountability for public figures: in a country where sportsmen often struggle with recognition and funding, pledges of support carry weight. A promise, once made, binds not only the giver’s name but also their credibility.
