"Aim Even Higher" – President Ruto Challenges Junior Starlets to Conquer World Cup Group Stages in Morocco
News Updated: 14 July 2026 18:53 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto when he flagged off the Harambee Starlets and Junior Starlets as they prepare to represent Kenya at the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) and the FIFA Under-17
On Tuesday, July 14, 2026, President William Ruto hosted a high-profile breakfast reception at State House, Nairobi, to officially flag off Kenya’s national women’s football teams. The executive ceremony gathered players, technical staff, and leadership from both the senior team, the Harambee Starlets, and the under-17 squad, the Junior Starlets, ahead of their departures for upcoming major international tournaments in Morocco.
The reception celebrated two massive milestones in Kenyan sports history. The Junior Starlets successfully secured qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup for the second time in the country's history, while their senior counterparts, the Harambee Starlets, secured their slot for the 2026 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
"The country is truly proud of your achievement, and we shall be cheering you on as you represent us at the continental level. As you head to Morocco to represent our nation, you carry the hopes and the pride of every Kenyan, and we wish you every success on this journey."
President Ruto highlighted the grit shown by the Junior Starlets during their decisive qualifying match against South Africa. After going down 1-0 at halftime under immense pressure, the team mounted a brilliant second-half comeback. A crucial 71st-minute equalizer scored by Gordensia Maloba of Kibra, Nairobi, shifted the momentum, enabling the team to claim a 3-1 victory on the day and complete a dominant 5-1 aggregate victory to seal their World Cup ticket.
"Extraordinary achievements are rarely born from extraordinary circumstances. They are born from ordinary people who simply refuse to surrender when the odds are against them."
The President singled out individual players whose dedication serves as an inspiration to young girls across Kenya. Among them was Elizabeth Opio, a 16-year-old Grade Nine student at Onding' Junior Secondary School in Gem, Siaya County, who balances her classroom education with athletics (competing in the 200m and 400m sprints) and high-level football.
"Your journey reminds us that excellence has no age, and that discipline in the classroom and discipline on the playing field reinforce each other. Elizabeth and Gordensia are not exceptions; they represent every one of you seated here today, and you are a living proof that Kenya's future is full of promise."
Praise was heavily directed toward Junior Starlets Head Coach Mildred Cheche. Ruto congratulated her for achieving an unprecedented milestone in Kenyan sports history by becoming the first local football coach to guide a national team to the World Cup twice.
"Coach Cheche, today the nation salutes you. You have achieved something no Kenyan football coach - man or woman - has ever achieved: You have guided a national team to the FIFA World Cup twice. On behalf of the people of Kenya, I thank you."
The upcoming tournaments represent highly competitive campaigns on the global stage. The Harambee Starlets are set to compete in the WAFCON tournament from July 26 to August 16, 2026, in Morocco, where they will face heavyweights like Algeria, Senegal, and hosts Morocco. Meanwhile, the Junior Starlets will play in the U-17 World Cup from October 7 to November 7, 2026, facing powerhouse teams like the USA, China, and Samoa in Group E.
"This time, I challenge you to aim even higher. Aim to qualify from the group stages. Believe that you can compete with anyone FIFA places before you."
President Ruto emphasized that these sports achievements are not accidental but rather the result of deliberate grassroots investments. Through partnerships between schools, county governments, and the Kenya Academy of Sports, more than 10,000 young athletes are currently enrolled in highly structured youth sports development programs.
"Nations that consistently excel in sport invest in young people long before the world knows their names. That is exactly what Kenya is doing."
Beyond funding raw athletic talent, the government has prioritized the development of sports personnel. Over 6,000 coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, and sports administrators have undergone specialized capacity-building and training programs through national sports federations and the Kenya Academy of Sports to elevate professional standards across the country.
"We are equally investing in the people who produce champions. More than 6,000 coaches, trainers, physiotherapists, and sports administrators have undergone specialized capacity building programs."
To ensure elite athletes are adequately supported, Kenya has scaled its direct funding of national teams. The President noted that the government spent KSh4.5 billion in the last financial year alone to cater to various national team logistics, covering high-quality kits, accommodation, allowances, and travel plans.
"In the last financial year alone, the Government invested KSh4.5 billion to support our national teams, covering accommodation, kits, allowances, and logistics so that our athletes can train and compete in dignity."
Addressing the need for adequate infrastructure, Ruto shared updates on the construction of modern sporting venues. The highly anticipated Talanta Sports City stadium is currently 95 percent complete, and the government is actively building 32 other modern stadia designed to serve as training facilities, economic hubs, and digital centers across various counties.
"Across the country, we are building another 32 modern stadia designed to be far more than sports venues. They will serve as centers of training, innovation, and economic opportunity."
In response to a direct appeal by Junior Starlets captain Beverlyne Awuor regarding medical security for career-threatening injuries, President Ruto guaranteed full medical coverage. He assured the players that they would be fully integrated into the Social Health Authority (SHA) and universal health coverage to ensure they compete without anxiety.
"You have asked for medical insurance, and I agree with you 100 percent. From now on, we shall make sure that you have medical insurance that will cover everything, including the surgery you talked about."
Concluding the financial discussion, the President confirmed that the Ministry of Sports had already paid out KSh33 million to clear all outstanding player allowances. Following an appeal by senior captain Mwanalima Adam to replicate the same performance bonuses enjoyed by the men's team (the Harambee Stars) during their CHAN 2024 run, Ruto promised the women’s teams that they will receive equal government backing.
"I have been briefed that all allowances have been paid, about Ksh 33 million, and if there are any other pending issues, we shall make sure that everybody is taken care of... You have reminded me how we walked with Harambee Stars during CHAN 2024, and be assured we will walk with you."
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FELIX MAKONA
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