Blame Game Erupts as Kenyans Point Fingers at Gachagua, Kindiki After Harambee Stars Exit

Rigathi Gachagua at Kasarani Stadium cheering on Harambee Stars.

Kenya’s dream run at the African Nations Championship (CHAN) came to an emotional end on Tuesday night after the Harambee Stars bowed out in the quarter-finals, losing to Madagascar in a tense penalty shootout.

Despite the heartbreak, President William Ruto struck an uplifting tone, praising the team for defying expectations and uniting the nation.

“We had a remarkable run. Harambee Stars have silenced doubters, lifted the spirit of a nation, and reminded us that when Kenyans play with courage, confidence, and determination, nothing is impossible,” Ruto said in a statement.

The President acknowledged the pain of the exit but hailed the players’ courage.

“Yes, we bowed out at the quarter-finals — but we fought valiantly to the very end. To lose in the lottery of penalties is no dishonour; to push the contest to such a finish is itself a badge of greatness.”

Harambee Stars at Kasarani Stadium

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi also celebrated the team’s resilience, saying:

“We bow out with pride. The Harambee Stars fought bravely, and though the journey ends here, the dream lives on. The future is bright.”

But beyond the official congratulations, a spirited blame game has erupted online and in political circles, with some Kenyans linking the loss to Rigathi Gachagua and  Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Senator Allan Chesang suggested that Rigathi Gachagua costed them the win, saying:

“Hii mambo kama sio Mr. Wamunyoro tungeshinda.”

Others went after Kindiki’s appearance at the stadium. DCP TV posted:

“Sad Kithure Kindiki came wearing all black like he was going for a funeral."

Political commentator Sam Terriz piled on with biting humour:

“The Harambee Stars were flying high, until Rigathi Gachagua strolled in with his wife, a black man with a black heart. Just like that, the good luck packed its bags and left.”

Human rights activist Hussein Khalid also took aim:

“How do you as a Deputy President Kindiki Kithure go to watch a match and not greet your players before the game? Hii ndio ilikuwa swara. He’s the reason we’ve lost. Nkt.”

Law scholar Prof. Makau Mutua added his own jab:

“I didn’t know his KAMUTI was so strong to lose us a game. GODDAMMIT.”

Coletta Aluda tied the “bad omen” tag to Raila Odinga’s earlier criticism of Kindiki, writing:

“Kithure Kindiki now carries the bad omen tag from Raila Odinga."

Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma, on the other hand, turned the focus on Gachagua:

“Harambee Stars has been winning with ease, until Gachagua returned to the country."

The banter underscored the raw emotions of the night — equal parts humour, satire, and frustration, as Kenyans grappled with the team’s painful exit.

In Tuesday’s quarter-final at Kasarani, Harambee Stars played a spirited game against Madagascar, forcing a penalty shootout after a 1–1 draw in normal time. The Stars eventually lost 5–3 on spot-kicks, ending their historic run.

Kenya’s CHAN 2024 journey was nonetheless remarkable. Drawn in the so-called “Group of Death,” the Stars stunned DR Congo 1–0 in their opener, battled to a 1–1 draw against Angola while a man down, and secured famous back-to-back 1–0 wins over Morocco and Zambia to top Group A.

Though they exit at the quarter-finals, Harambee Stars depart with heads held high. For the first time in decades, they have given Kenyans a reason to believe — showing grit, unity, and courage that transcended the pitch. They may have lost a game, but they won the nation’s pride.