CAF Awards: President William Ruto Feted as Achraf Hakimi is Crowned African Player of the Year

While Kenyan players were missing on the podium at the CAF Awards, President William Ruto was among those recognised at the gala held in Rabat, Morocco on Wednesday.

Morocco’s Achraf Hakimi and Ghizlane Chebbak were crowned 2025 African Player of the Year with Moroccans sweeping most of the awards while Ruto also awarded on the night.

Ruto was feted with the CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award in recognition of his unwavering support for football development in the country following the successful hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championships (CHAN 2024).

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Kenyan Ambassador to Morocco, Jessica Gakinya received the award on behalf of Ruto, who was feted alongside his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan and Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni after the three East African nations co-hosted the tournament.

CHAN 2024 was rated the best in the tournament’s history with Ruto leading efforts to ensure stadia and training facilities were ready on time while he also motivated Harambee Stars hugely with a reward of Ksh1 million for every win and Ksh500,000 for every draw going to each player.

Harambee Stars exited at the quarter-final but the players had banked Ksh5.5 million each by the time with the reward credited for their improved performance that saw them top a tough group which had Morocco, DR Congo and Angola.

Football Kenya Federation boss Hussein Mohammed was among those who attended the gala and he celebrated Ruto following the recognition while staying confident that a lot more is in store for Kenyan football from the Head of State.

“Our head of state H.E Dr. @WilliamsRuto received a special award for his support towards football development in Kenya at the #CAFAwards2025,” Mohammed posted on X.

“Kenyan Ambassador to Morocco, @jgakinya received the Award on behalf of the President. With the elaborate support structure the government is putting in place for sports and particularly football, I have no doubt our players shall soon be recipients of these coveted accolades as well,” he added.