Kenyan uproar over 2020 Olympic kit

Kenya's official kit for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, has sparked an uproar on social media moments after it was unveiled.

The National Olympics Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) and Nike unveiled the kit in New York on Thursday.

It features a honeycomb pattern, but the design has been faulted for not having the correct shades of red, green and black - the colours of the country's national flag.

However, officials and athletes have expressed their liking for the kit.

Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge told the BBC that the new kit was "special" and "different".

"This kit will steal the eyes of Kenyans especially now [that] people love sports," he said.

The national Olympics president and athletics great Paul Tergat said "the uniqueness of the design reflects the vibrant culture of Kenya".

But many Kenyans on social media are far from convinced.They expressed their displeasure using the hashtags #TeamKenya and #Tokyo2020.

Another tweeter said there was no public participation in designing the kit and wanted the inclusion of the national flag colours.

The Olympic games will be held this year from 24 July to 9 August.

Team USA vs Team Kenya kits all from Nike for the Olympics.
Hapa NOCK walicheswo pic.twitter.com/zyDEzdvhYs

— Daniel N Wahome (@MistaWahome) February 6, 2020

This is #TeamKenya
Official launch to be done in April this year in Nairobi. #Nike2020 #roadtotokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/lyy2Mdn03K

— National Olympic Committee of Kenya (@OlympicsKe) February 6, 2020

Ours is a raw deal from Nike. By the way, I can go to court because there was no public participation. Our athletes cannot compete with hexagonal honey combs patterns. We need national colours of red, black green and with in patter of shield and spear. Period.

— bernard k kimutai (@k_kimutai) February 6, 2020