NAIROBI – Whether in a sports jersey or a suit, Kenyan president William Ruto is casting himself as a model supporter of the national football team as an international tournament provides respite from recent bloody protests against his regime.

In June and July, the East African country, usually known as a beacon of calm in the turbulent Horn of Africa region, saw violent anti-government protests that left 65 dead, according to a police watchdog.

While the protests have disappeared from the streets, many of the issues — police brutality, a troubled economy– have not.

But thanks to football, public anger against Ruto’s administration seems to be fizzing out.

Kenya is co-hosting the African Nations Championship (CHAN), with its national team winning both on and off the pitch — a stark contrast to their historically dismal performance — while Ruto coattails on their success at every turn.

He was in the stands cheering their inaugural game and in the dressing, room making promises to the players.

At the start of the tournament, he promised each Harambee Stars player, as the national team is called, one million Kenyan shillings (about US$7 740) for every win, and half that for a draw.

He later raised the reward to 2.5 million shillings plus a two-bedroom house if they beat Zambia in Sunday’s quarter-finals. Ruto’s strategy appears to be paying off.

While public gatherings for months were dominated by “Wantam” chants — to mean he will be a one-term president — energetic Kenyan fans are now filling stadiums with “One Million” shouts, referencing the presidential bonuses.

“Most people are happy that the national team has been rewarded for their performance,” Bernard Ndong, sports editor and anchor at one of Kenya’s biggest stations, told AFP.

But not everyone was convinced by Ruto’s sudden, and generous, attitude to the players, he added.

“Some sceptics are wondering where that money is coming from and whether it’s also a subtle way for him to endear himself to the people through football.”

Just a few weeks before the CHAN games kicked off, Ruto called on police officers to shoot and maim violent protesters, remarks that sparked public outrage. 

– Nampa/AFP