By Billy Mijungu
The unity, goodwill and national pride that Harambee Stars have brought us through their performance at CHAN must not be allowed to dim. What we witnessed was not just a football tournament; it was a statement of possibility, resilience and the depth of potential that Kenya possesses. The boys stood tall, carried the flag high and injected hope into millions who, for a long time, had grown tired of disappointment. That kind of sacrifice and achievement must never be rewarded with poverty.
We must recognize that CHAN has given us more than goals and victories. It has given us a mirror of what this country can be when discipline, determination and belief come together. These young men must now be the face of Kenyan excellence. They should not go back to struggling with rent, hustling for allowances or disappearing into anonymity after giving us their best. They must be integrated into the economic fabric of the nation as symbols of success and ambassadors of Kenyan resilience.
This is where government, corporate Kenya and our people must rise. Football is more than a sport; it is a global industry worth billions. The Harambee Stars players have crossed the Rubicon; there is no going back to obscurity. Corporations must not wait to be begged. They must see in this team an opportunity to brand Kenya, to market products, to push tourism and to inspire investment. Imagine a Harambee Star as the face of Magical Kenya campaigns, another as the ambassador of a banking product, another fronting a telco brand. This is how we create value not just for the players, but for the country at large.
The government too has a duty that goes beyond handshakes and photo opportunities. Policy must deliberately carve out space for sports to be a real career, not a temporary pastime. That means structured contracts, retirement benefits, and health cover for every player who represents the national team. The government must work with federations and private sector to ensure the players never have to worry about where the next meal comes from. National duty must come with dignity.
CHAN performance must also inspire the next generation. Children across Kenya watched Harambee Stars defy odds, and in their eyes was born the hope that they too can achieve greatness. That hope must not be wasted. We need well-structured academies in every county, proper scouting networks, and sustained investment in grassroots football. Let the boys from Turkana, Kisii, Taita, Mandera and Busia know that if they work hard, they too can wear the Harambee Stars jersey and change their families’ fortunes forever.
We must also not ignore the psychological effect of this success. For too long, Kenya has been trapped in the narrative of failure in football. Now that the tide has shifted, it must be anchored. Confidence is a national resource, and these boys have injected it back into the bloodstream of our people. That confidence must flow into our schools, our streets, our offices and our homes.
If the players go back to poverty, the nation will have lost more than a game. We will have told our youth that even when you sacrifice everything and achieve greatness, the system will still fail you. But if we elevate these players, if we ensure they live dignified lives, then we will have planted a permanent seed of belief in the hearts of millions.
The Harambee Stars of CHAN must therefore be more than footballers. They must be national icons, economic beneficiaries, ambassadors of hope and examples of what Kenya can achieve when it dares to dream.
