Harambee Stars captain Aboud Omar has signaled that national team players are ready to take up affordable housing units promised by President William Ruto following Kenya’s impressive run at the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN).
Omar, accompanied by several teammates, toured the Starehe Affordable Housing Project in Nairobi where some of the units earmarked for the players are nearing completion.
Speaking after the visit, the Harambee Stars skipper said the players were impressed by the progress made and are now waiting for the necessary paperwork to be completed so they can secure the units.
“The boys are ready,” Omar said, adding that many players have already agreed to place deposits for the houses after seeing the project firsthand.
The housing promise traces back to CHAN 2024 when Ruto pledged generous rewards to the national team for their performances.
Besides match bonuses, the President promised players access to affordable housing units, with the government undertaking to cover half the cost of a two-bedroom house valued at about Sh2 million.
Under the arrangement, players are expected to contribute Sh1 million, while the government matches the amount with another Sh1 million.
The houses can be acquired through the Affordable Housing Programme in locations of the players’ choice.
The latest development offers one of the clearest indications yet that the pledge made during Kenya’s memorable CHAN campaign is moving closer to becoming a reality for the players who helped put Kenyan football back in the continental spotlight.