Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba has awarded national men's football team Harambee Stars Sh2.5 million following their emphatic 5-0 victory against Minnows Seychelles on Monday.
Ababu, who saw off the team at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport on November 15 before facing hosts Gabon a day later, promised Stars goodies should they register better results.
"Hongera boys. Sh2.5 million pap!" Ababu posted on his X platform.
Stars captain Michael Olunga opened the scoring in the third minute before completing his brace three minutes later.
Masoud Juma made it 3-0 at the stroke of halftime as Stars ran riot against Seychelles in a match played in Ivory Coast.
Rooney Onyango and Beson Omalla completed the rout in the second half with a goal each.
"We have chattered a private aircraft to fly the team direct to the two crucial assignments in Gabon and Côte d'Ivoire where Seychelles is hosting their game," Ababu said before Stars' trip.
"I have urged the boys to put their best foot forward for Kenya, and committed handsome cash rewards for every 3 points they nail in these qualifiers."
Kenya has been drawn in Group 'F' of the 2026 Fifa World Cup qualifiers against Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, Gambia, Burundi, and Seychelles.
They lost 2-1 against Gabon despite scoring first but the 5-0 historic triumph against Seychelles rekindled the team's hope of qualifying for the games in Mexico, Canada and the United States.
The winners of each group will directly qualify for the tournament.
Additionally, the four best runners-up from the groups will advance to the Caf play-off tournament, whose winner shall secure a spot in the quadrennial showpiece set for North America.
