This archive report was first published on 22 April 2020.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect the world, the Kenyan sports fraternity has been forced to adapt to the new reality. With on-field action suspended nationwide, off-pitch innovation has surged, and one such example is Gor Mahia superfan Jared Abong'o, known as Jaro Soja, who has found a business opportunity to market the club by manufacturing face masks for fans.
With a practical twist, Jaro Soja has managed to merge football and fashion, all while preventing the spread of the coronavirus. His face masks are not just a way to show his love for the reigning Kenyan Premier League champions but also a means to make ends meet in these trying times.
According to the Ministry of Health, Kenya had reported 15 more cases of the coronavirus on Tuesday, raising the country's total number of confirmed cases to 296, with 74 recoveries. The death toll stood at 14 as of Tuesday.
While the Ministry of Health has warned against the efficacy of decorative face masks, Jaro Soja guarantees top quality and urges fellow fans to stay safe.
"We all miss going to the stadium. It's our collective responsibility to ensure we follow the guidelines so that we defeat this disease and go back to the stadiums to support our teams once more," he said.
As of the KPL's suspension in mid-March, Gor Mahia were perched atop the standings with 54 points from 23 matches, seven points more than second-placed Kakamega Homeboyz who have a game in hand. The 2020 top tier was already in a choking financial crunch prior to the suspension, and with severe effects of the pandemic, it's a wait and see game to see how the Football Kenya Federation and league organisers will navigate the situation.
