Harambee Stars new kit - what they said

What you need to know:

  • Football Kenya Federation has signed a Sh75 million partnership with Singapore-based sports apparel company Mafro Sports to kit all the national teams for the next three years.
  • Mafro are also the official kit partners for the Zambian and Zimbabwean national teams.
  • Replicas of this kit will retail at Sh2,500 at major supermarkets, malls and sports apparel shops beginning June 1 this year.

Some people don't like change. Others do. So moments after Football Kenya Federation unveiled the new Harambee Stars kits for the next three years, there was bound to be divergent reactions.

A quick check on social media shows that a majority of Harambee Stars supporters are dissatisfied with the design.

Nation Sport takes a look at who's saying what after the deal was unveiled:

“But surely, where does yellow come into Kenya's national fabric? Or this is just meant to force us to say things we shouldn't be saying this Fkf Kenya which according to me have done better than I expected? Are we back to Mohamed Hatimy days when we played in yellow against Iran at Azadi Stadium, Tehran?” – Veteran sports journalist Robin Toskin posted on Facebook.

“Haven't heard of this brand will wait to see the quality, nevertheless what is so difficult for FKF writing to Nike, Adidas, Puma etc very recognised kit outlets world over to design national soccer team official jerseys? It's very unfortunate.” Reginald Asibwa posed.

“Where is creativity and taste on those Harambee Stars Jerseys?” – A concerned fan, Alex Ngare, weighed in on Facebook.

“Which (kindergarten) designed the Kenyan Mafro kit that's just been launched? Their Zambian counterparts did way better!” Francis Ngira, a sports blogger, said on Facebook.

“Let's remove the word 'KENYA' and that big star in the middle of the jersey. Then I can place my first order... There is the flag, so no need of the word 'Kenya'. Mwendwa, there is still room for amendments. (Sh2,500) is not a small amount for a jersey you don't like it's design.” – George Abwajo, a football fan, said.

“Those jerseys are ugly... The deal is sweet however... Much more creativity needs to be put on design...” - Moses Kinyua opined.

“The jersey would have been good if at all they would have kept it simple rather than overcrowding it with stars. Those stars were not really necessary.” - Laureen Aseka said on Facebook.

“So sad how football fans don't even know that all along Goalkeepers have been wearing different (colours) from the rest of the team, colours not necessarily on our National flag, so sad.” – Ken Okaka, FKF’s communication office Ken Okaka said.