There were smiles and celebrations at State House, Nairobi, as President William Ruto warmly welcomed the victorious Nairobi United Football Club.
The team, affectionately known as the Naibois, had just stunned the nation by winning the FKF Cup—an achievement few had anticipated.
Their remarkable triumph has captured the imagination of Kenyans across the country, earning them widespread praise and admiration.
Addressing the players and coaching staff, President Ruto commended the team not only for their victory but also for embodying the values of unity, hard work, and self-belief.
“You must always believe in yourselves and trust in God. You have made us all proud,” the President said.
He drew a parallel between the team’s cohesion and his vision for the nation: “I see in you a team that truly reflects Kenya. You come from diverse communities and backgrounds, yet you play as one strong unit. That is how our country should be. I will continue to stand against politics that seek to divide us along tribal lines.”
Presidential Rewards and Sports Development Pledges
To reward their historic achievement, the President announced a substantial cash prize of Sh10 million for the team’s five investment groups and pledged to provide them with a brand new team bus.
“No one expected a small team like yours to lift this cup. Success is never easy, but you’ve earned it,” Ruto added, celebrating their underdog victory.
The President also took the opportunity to reiterate the government’s commitment to sports development. “The government is committed to fully supporting sports. Moving forward, the Sports Fund will be used to build sports facilities across the country.
We are constructing a Sh35 billion stadium at Jamhuri, which will be completed by December, alongside additional stadiums throughout Kenya.”
Governor Sakaja on Team’s Resilience and Future Ambitions
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, whose foundation owns the club, spoke passionately about the team’s remarkable journey and growth from humble beginnings.
“When I took over, many of the players lacked self-belief. We have worked to guide and mentor them—not just in football, but in life,” Sakaja said, emphasising a holistic approach to player development.
He lauded individual brilliance, noting, “Our goalkeeper, Earnest Mohamed, saved eight penalties and was named the tournament’s best player—a rare feat for a goalkeeper.”
The Governor went on to highlight the club’s modest budget and how they managed to outperform wealthier teams through sheer determination and innovation.
“In Kenya, success doesn’t just come from money—it comes from big ideas, resilience, and a refusal to give up,” he asserted, echoing a common Kenyan narrative of triumph against odds.
Sakaja also took the opportunity to make several requests to the President: to consider renaming the tournament the “Ruto Golden Cup” and to allocate land for dedicated training grounds to Nairobi United, AFC Leopards, and Gor Mahia, signalling ambitions for long-term support for key Nairobi clubs.
by allan muriithi
