Government to engage SRC on reviewing national team players’ allowances
The government has disclosed intentions of engaging the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) on reviewing the allowances for players in the national teams as part bolstering their morale and enhancing their welfare.
The Principal Secretary for Sports Elijah Mwangi said the current rates for allowances paid to all athletes representing Kenya on different sporting events are determined by the SRC as required by law.
The PS was speaking at Kandara town on Saturday during a public engagement exercise with residents and leaders.
The PS however said that the Ministry was open to constructive engagement with stakeholders especially the men’s National Team, Harambee Stars, through the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to engage the SRC on possibilities of reviewing the allowances upwards.
“All the allowances we pay to athletes are authorized by the SRC. Whenever the need arises to review the allowances, we engage the commission with the request and wait for their approval,” he explained.
The PS disclosed that the ministry had moved to resolve the issues of allowances for the Harambee Stars; explaining that the government often stepped in settle such outstanding issues if the federation’s processed were hampered by delays.
He also said that the process of requisition money for payment was done in strict compliance with the law; a factor that could contribute to understandable delays in settling any outstanding claim.
“The process of requesting for money from treasury is elaborate and needs verifications which might cause delays but once the money comes, we pay promptly,” he said.
While wishing Harambee Stars success in their match against Eritrea on Saturday, the PS urged Kenyans to come out in their numbers to support the national team.
He further called for players representing the country in any sport to uphold the highest level of patriotism and honor. He termed the donning of the national colors as the highest pride any athlete would aspire for.
“Even when we have issues that we need addressed, we should put the nation first. It’s the highest level of patriotism and honor to don on the national colors and represent the country in any event,” he added.
The Harambee Stars are already in the training camp as they get ready to take on Eritrea in an AFCON 2026 qualifier match.
