Kenyans demand Ruto’s million-shilling promise as M-Pesa message meme goes viral
President William Ruto with Harambee Stars players and officials from FKF and Ministry of Sports on August 3, 2025. Courtesy photo
Kenyans rushed online after Harambee Stars beat DR Congo to demand that President William Ruto fulfills his promise to award each player Sh1 million.
The celebrations quickly turned into a frenzy of curiosity and scepticism after a viral Facebook post showed what appeared to be an official M-Pesa confirmation message from the President himself.
“TGD7SZ4V45 Confirmed. You have received Ksh1,000,000 from WILLIAM RUTO 07******** on 3/8/25 at 6:25 PM. New M-PESA balance is Ksh1,150,000.”
The message, which looked convincingly real, sent social media into overdrive.
“Ni kama Serikali inaingia kwa mpira!” one social media user laughed.
Another posted a screenshot of their own M-Pesa balance — a flat zero — and asked, “Na sisi tuliimba wimbo ya (sic) taifa. Tuko wapi kwa hii story?”
Safaricom’s M-Pesa system cannot support such a large transaction in one go.
As of August 2025, the limits remain Sh250,000 per transaction and Sh500,000 per user per day.
“The screenshots going around are fake. There’s no way anyone can send Sh1 million in one go via M-Pesa,” said fintech analyst Carol Njeru.
“I guess it’s just a reminder to the President to fulfill his promise.”
President Ruto made the Sh1 million pledge ahead of Sunday’s CHAN 2024 match where Harambee Stars played Leopards of DR Congo.
The president had promised each Harambee Stars player the bonus if they beat DR Congo. Kenya went on to win the match 1-0, with Austin Odhiambo scoring the only goal. After the match, Kenyans turned from football fans into financial auditors.
“Tumefanya kazi yetu, sasa Rais afanye yake,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“Tuweke kwa group ama tutume number?” another joked.
Former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko also promised to top up President Ruto’s Sh600 million with Sh400 million, should Kenya win the CHAN.
What’s next for Harambee Stars?
Kenya’s victory over DR Congo has opened a promising path toward qualification, but more work lies ahead.
Kenya vs Zambia on August 6, 2025
A tough fixture. Zambia lead the group with speed and discipline. A draw would be huge. A win could seal a spot in the quarter-finals and possibly earn another State House incentive.
Kenya vs Zimbabwe on August 9, 2025
A more winnable match. Zimbabwe have been shaky, and Kenya will look to dominate. Three(3) points here would likely guarantee progression.
So, where’s the money?
While Harambee Stars stay focused on the pitch, fans are watching their phones — not for match alerts, but for that M-Pesa notification.
So far
Players haven’t commented.
State House has not issued confirmation.
The viral message remains unverified and technically impossible.
Still, the pressure on President Ruto is mounting, and fans aren’t letting go just yet.
“Wacha mchezo tuendelee, lakini hii pesa tusisahau. Tunaijua na plate number.”
