CAF Salutes East African Heads of State with Prestigious Achievement Award

President William Ruto has been recognised by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) with the President’s Outstanding Achievement Award, a continental honour reserved for Heads of State who have played a meaningful role in advancing football in their countries.

The award was presented during a colourful CAF Awards ceremony held on Wednesday evening in Rabat, Morocco. Kenya’s ambassador to Morocco, Jessica Muthoni Gakinya, received the award on behalf of President Ruto, who was among several East African leaders celebrated on the night.
Also honoured were President Samia Suluhu of Tanzania and President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda, both of whom were represented by senior government officials.

What the Award Represents

The CAF President’s Outstanding Achievement Award was introduced in 2022 by CAF President Patrice Motsepe, with the aim of recognising Heads of State who actively support football progress both on and off the pitch.
The first recipients were Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Morocco’s King Mohammed VI. Last year, the honour went to Cameroon’s Paul Biya and Egypt’s Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

Why Ruto Was Honoured

President Ruto, alongside the Tanzanian and Ugandan heads of state, was celebrated for the critical role played in ensuring the successful hosting of the 2024 African Nations Championship (CHAN) a tournament reserved for players featuring in domestic leagues.

After years of postponements, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania worked jointly to prepare the necessary infrastructure, coordinate logistics, and deliver a tournament that brought the entire continent to East Africa.
The collaboration was widely praised as a strong show of regional unity and commitment to elevating local football.

Looking Ahead to AFCON 2027

With CHAN confirmed a success, attention has now shifted to the region’s next major task: hosting the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
In Kenya, President Ruto is overseeing the construction of the Talanta Sports Complex along Ngong Road an ultramodern 60,000-seat facility expected to play a central role in the tournament.

The award marks another milestone in Kenya’s push to invest in sports infrastructure and position the region as a leading destination for major African football events.