Kipchoge kin Team Kenya kit photos sparks uproar

Kenyans erupted in uproar on social media on Tuesday when photos hit the Internet depicting National Olympics Committee-Kenya (Nock) chairman, Dr. Kipchoge Keino’s daughter-in-law and her children decked in official Team Kenya kit.

The series of photos posted by the spouse Kipchoge’s son and retired pace-maker, Martin Keino, sparked outrage in a nation still smarting from the scandal dubbed Rio 2016 fiasco that has seen top Nock officials in trouble for their excesses before, during and after the 31st edition of the Summer Games.

Kenyans took on social media to lampoon the Keinos with the children appearing to be dressed in oversized clothing in an incident that came days after police raided offices of Nock and seized kit meant for athletes selected for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

With the top bosses of Nock under investigation for the alleged theft of the Nike manufactured gear, Kenyans were quick to link the photos to the missing kit from the American apparel firm.

Online user took to micro-blogging site Twitter and Facebook to condemn the family with some saying the publishing of the photos was in bad taste in light of the scandal and an admission of guilt on the Nock chairman’s part.

“If you have a name, integrity, to protect, guard it at all costs. One small mistake and what took you a lifetime to create comes down crumbling before your eyes,” Ndung’u Kibui insisted.

“If boxes of Kenyan kits are found in her father in laws office illegally and later she posts pictures of her and kids wearing oversized kits the truth is the most obvious answer! Then Kip Keino has a shop selling kits… tereeeeeen tere! Should have “appropriated” the correct size for the older son,” Michael Moth Orenge quipped.

“So this is where out Athletics KITS from NIKE went to? It’s official. We are doomed! We will never get it right,” @SokoAnalyst tweeted.

“NOCK Chairman Kipchoge Keino’s daughter beautifully dressed in smart Nike Kits. Do you remember that Kenyan athletes were scheduled to leave for Rio with 8 pairs of Nike Kits but they only got 2 pairs at long last?” Susumila Da Smpleman charged.

The timing of the photos was also questioned as the heat on Kipchoge, the first Olympics Laureate to quit his post intensified.

“It’s laughable. It’s just laughable that after you find out your relative stole kit meant for players, you do a photo shoot with said kits,” Raphael Xavier Ndegwa offered.

“Stolen…But I wonder if this can be confirmed!” Serro Patrick tweeted.

“Are there replica kits that we can also buy or,” another amused user commented.

A few however, came in defence of the family, bashing Kenyans for being too quick to judge alleging that this was a mere coincidence.

“But why do Kenyans like speculating on everything. The Kipchoges have the means and could have bought the kits. It could be just coincidence that she shared the photos when the Olympics fiasco is going on,” Radio presenter Joseph Ogidi, who ignited the whole furore with his Facebook post on Tuesday morning, wrote later.

“Who says Kenyans can’t own such kits? Furthermore, Kipchoge Keino’s son was a runner for many years. All I see from this pic is a patriotic Kenyan teaching her kids patriotism early but I stand corrected if YOU can prove otherwise. Hehe,” Bob Omamo fired.

“You think those clothes are not sold, go to sports house Nairobi you will get, hata huyo mtoto uniform ilikuwa ya nani (whose uniform was the kid wearing)?” Denis Chemonges Ndiwa posed.

Efforts to reach Martin on phone to get his side of the tale were fruitless.