There was a moment of humor at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi playfully dared President William Ruto to reward senators for their recent football victory over governors.
Senator Kingi proposed that senators be rewarded for having defeated governors 5–0, just as the President had previously rewarded national team Harambee Stars for its victory against Morocco, Angola, and Congo.
Addressing the conference on Wednesday, 13 August 2025, Kingi argued that the Senate’s Bunge FC squad, which also deserved the sort of accolades given to the Harambee Stars.
“In keeping with your generosity, Mr President, that has been witnessed by Kenyans in the past couple of weeks, where you extended some appreciation to the national team, the Harambee Stars, for every match that they win. The Senate team has beaten the governors,” Kingi stated, drawing laughter from the audience. Even President Ruto appeared visibly amused by the lighthearted request.
Kingi revealed that the Senate football team consists of 16 members and expressed hope they would be considered for a token of appreciation. In a cheeky follow-up, he quipped that he might stop by the State Lodge to collect KSh16 million for the team.
“They wish to be considered in that appreciation token. The team comprises 16 members. if that is agreeable, I might pass by the state lounge to collect 16 million for the team, and I know that is possible,” he added.
This came just a day after Bunge Football Club, on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, thrashed the Council of Governors team in a friendly match at the Tom Mboya University grounds during the ongoing Devolution Conference.
‘Nice Try, Senators’: Ruto’s Humorous Response to KSh1M Demand
Ruto responded in kind to the senators’ demand for KSh1 million after their 5–0 win over the governors, denying them a reward on a “technicality”.
He started by congratulating the Senate football team, saying they truly deserved recognition for their impressive performance. But with a grin, he highlighted what he called a “technical problem” with their proposal. According to him, such generous rewards are reserved for matches against foreign opponents, not fellow Kenyans.
Since the governors were the Senate’s rivals in this case, Ruto explained, the same type of appreciation offered to the Harambee Stars would not apply.
“A round of applause to the senate team for winning yesterday’s match. You merit, as the speaker has said, a reward for what you have done. There is a small technical problem; a reward at the level of what we have done for Harambee Stars is only given when the opposite team is not Kenya,” Ruto stated.
“Unfortunately for the Senate, the team you’re playing against was from Kenya. I really apologise. I might not be able to assist in these particular circumstances, but next time if you play against a foreign team and you win, then they will be due consideration,” he added.
