Harambee Stars captain Aboud Omar seized the opportunity to advocate for one of his teammates during a surprise visit by President William Ruto to the national team’s training camp ahead of the upcoming CHAN Tournament.
Omar, who will be leading the Kenyan squad during the continental competition, was tasked with introducing his teammates to the Head of State. But instead of starting with names, he led with a heartfelt plea on behalf of Boniface Muchiri; the team’s assistant captain and a Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) officer.
“Tuliongea na mkubwa hapa (We spoke with our boss earlier),” Omar began, directing his message to the President. “Na kwa ushirikiano wako, tuko na one of our key players… kama kuna vile unaweza…” he said, referencing Muchiri. “Huyu ni mchezaji wetu, ni key player, na ni soldier. Unajua ni hustler kama vile unavyosema. Kama kuna vile unaeza muangalia kijana wetu…”
President Ruto, amused and intrigued, interjected with a lighthearted, “Aje?” prompting laughter among the team and officials.
Omar did not miss a beat. He continued speaking on Muchiri’s dedication both on the pitch and in service to the nation. At that point, Muchiri stepped forward and introduced himself with his army service number.
The President, visibly entertained, replied with a smile: “Nimemuangalia,” sparking even more laughter in the room. He then playfully added, “Kuna vile?”
Omar responded in unison with his teammates, “Kama vile unaeza cheza kama wewe!” a clever nod to Ruto’s well-known “hustler” brand and his sports-friendly image.
Ruto chuckled and concluded, “Nimeshikanisha,” before Omar carried on with the rest of the team introductions.
Muchiri is one of the star players in the squad with experience on leadership, currently serving as captain for Ulinzi Stars FC where he plies his tools of trade.