Kenya's top football league has a new look, but not everyone is happy about it. The competition, previously known as the Kenya Premier League (KPL), has officially rebranded for the 2025/26 season.
The move is part of a new sponsorship deal. The league will now carry the name and logo of its headline sponsor, mirroring models seen in top European leagues.
However, the rebrand has been met with a wave of criticism from fans online. Many believe the new identity erases the league’s history and tradition.
Reactions from Fans
The news of the rebrand has been met with a wave of criticism from fans who feel the new identity diminishes the league’s history. On social media, the reaction was swift and unfiltered.
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One user, @namanda_12, commented: "A big company like SportPesa should have hired a good graphic designer. This looks like a football club logo, not a league logo."
The change in the league's name also drew criticism. User @Jim_mpole01 asked, "How about they just sponsor the league and retain its original name… KPL???" a sentiment echoed by many others online.
The optics of a betting company fully branding the league did not go unnoticed. @gervase_ariong remarked, "So your league is named and fully sponsored by a gambling company. Let me just grab my popcorn," highlighting ethical concerns.
Ethical Concerns and the Betting Industry
This reaction underscores a growing debate about the dominance of betting firms in African sports, and the ethical questions that come with it.
While league officials state that the partnership will bring much-needed funding, the negative fan reaction shows the difficult balance between securing financial support and preserving the sport’s identity.
As the new season approaches, it's clear that the debate is far from over.
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