Five years ago, in the month of April, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) signed a two –year partnership deal with Spanish sports apparel manufacturer Joma.
This deal would see Joma supply kits to Senior team (Harambee Stars), the under-17, under-20 and under 23 teams.
“This is a two-year agreement that will see Joma kit all the Kenyan football National teams for free. We will review this once the contract lapses,” said sales representative Maurizio Ramacciotti.
This was indeed one of the most significant steps Sam Nyamweya, the then FKF head took to restore lost pride to the national football team, at a time the ministry was scandal-ridden.
Fast forward to Monday, June 17 2019. The official Harambee Stars’ replica kits to be used in the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Egypt hit Kenyan shelves, days after they were released in France.
The Federation chair confirmed they had entered into a three-yeal deal with Macron Sports Wear to dress the senior national football team.
For people who watched both Nyamweya’s jersey-release five years ago, it is fair to say the Federation has seemingly moved up a notch.
The following photos show how Harambee Stars’ kits were unveiled in 2014 and in 2019.
Looking at these two pictures, it is clear Mwendwa took a more modern approach. The kits were designed in Italy and had to be donned by famous Harambee Stars’ players during the unveiling to create a sense of privilege.
Victor Wanyama, Michael Olunga and Ayub Timbe were among the players used to announce the release.
In 2014, however, the kits were released in a press conference held in Nairobi and donned by non-players.
Harambee Stars open the 2019 AFCON journey on Sunday, 23rd June against Algeria. The match kicks off at 11:00 pm East African Time and will be staged at the 30 June Stadium.