Outfits for Kenya's Olympic team draws criticism

For the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Team Kenya has debuted new training and competition attire, replacing the current honeycomb pattern outfits designed for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The new kits aim to showcase Kenya’s rich cultural heritage and athletic excellence on the global stage, incorporating details inspired by Maasai traditional attire and Ankara fabrics.

These outfits were crafted locally by three designers selected during this year's Talanta Hela competition.

However, several prominent designers have criticized the Ministry of Sports for approving what they deem as 'unappealing' designs for Team Kenya's official ceremonial kits at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Yvonne Odhiambo, founder of Afrostreet Kollections, and Kate Mayeye, founder of African Fabric and Designs Kenya, expressed strong dissatisfaction with the kits, asserting that they fail to meet international standards.

"Can we please take our sports ambassadors seriously for once? Even Cultural Day outfits for kids look better. These designs seem more suited to a Grade One project," remarked Ms. Odhiambo.

Kate Mayeye echoed similar sentiments, saying, "The embarrassment is indescribable. Who approved this nonsense? These outfits are atrocious. It would be better to wear a suit than these designs."

Both designers expressed dismay that the three designers chosen through the Talanta Hela competition by the Ministry of Sports produced kits that fall short of expectations.

Kate Mayeye emphasized that the kits are an embarrassment for the athletes who will represent Kenya in Paris at the 2024 Olympics.

"What were they thinking? There are so many talented street designers who could have done a much better job. How can we keep allowing our country to be embarrassed like this?" Kate questioned.