This archive report was first published on 9 July 2021.
Team Kenya's Tokyo Olympics kit has sparked a mixed reaction from Kenyans, with some praising its design and others criticizing it as far from ideal.
On July 8, 2021, President Uhuru Kenyatta officially unveiled the Olympic kit for Team Kenya at State House, Nairobi, in an event attended by Sports Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed and National Olympic Committee - Kenya (NOC-K) president Paul Tergat.
The kit, sponsored by Safaricom and Tusker, among other corporates, was inspired by Kenya's national colours and symbols. It will be worn by the travelling contingent of athletes, including the women's volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, who will be the first group to depart for the Olympic games on July 23rd in Tokyo.
While some Kenyans praised the kit, others criticized its design, with some calling it 'ugly' and 'forced.' However, the team's increased representation of women, with more women than men participating for the first time, was widely praised.
"Kenyan sports has always attracted the best talents in the country and our values of hard work and service are deeply entrenched in our athletes," said President Kenyatta. "The 2020 Tokyo Olympics is another opportunity for us to promote disqualities that position us for success in the sporting world. For this reason, my government has and will continue to support you as you take part in this year's Olympic games."
