The 2008 Kenyan Premier League winners Mathare United FC have ushered in a new era after officially unveiling global betting giant 1XBet as its principal shirt sponsor for both the men’s and women’s teams.
The announcement was made during a vibrant ceremony held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Nairobi in the presence of Football Kenya Federation top brass led by CEO Harold Ndege, Mathare United CEO Jecton Obure, club’s technical staff, and top officials from the betting firm.
The sponsorship deal, valued at $160,000 (approximately KES20.6 million), marks a significant milestone for the Nairobi-based club. The one-year agreement, which comes with an option for renewal, will see the 1XBet logo prominently featured on the front of both home and away kits throughout the 2025/26 season.
Addressing guests at the unveiling, Mathare United CEO Jecton Obure described the sponsorship as a transformative moment for the club, which recently returned to Kenya’s top football tier.
“Choosing to partner with a team that was recently promoted to the topflight shows the belief that 1XBet has in our club,” said Obure. “I term this partnership as a new dawn and one that allows us to go out and achieve our dreams.”
The impact of the deal is already being felt, with the men’s team having donned the newly branded jerseys in their latest match – a hard-fought 1-0 win over Ulinzi Stars.
For Mathare United, a club that has long been associated with nurturing grassroots talent and promoting youth empowerment through sport, the partnership comes as a timely boost. Financial constraints have historically weighed heavily on the team, and the injection of funds is expected to support both operational and developmental needs, a move that was echoed by FKF CEO Harold Ndege.
“No one is ready for the financial stability about to happen in Kenyan football, we’re going to work with private and public sectors to breath a new life into our football,” Ndege said.
Kennedy Mumo, director of operations for 1XBet in Kenya, emphasised the firm’s broader vision beyond sports branding.
“Mathare United is a story about the power of sport as a tool for change. That is why we chose this club. We are not just sponsoring football. We are investing in the youth and future,” Mumo said.
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Cyprus, 1XBet has made its mark globally as a leading online betting platform. The firm holds sponsorship deals with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) and top European football giants including FC Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain –making the partnership with Mathare United a continuation of its expanding footprint in global and African football.
Speaking at the event, Mathare United head coach John Kamau also promised better results next season with a well organised preseason. “This development will enable us prepare well for next season, especially with a good preseason. The team will be in a better position to post good results when all is well in the camp,” Kamau said.
As Mathare United prepares for the new season, the club’s leadership and fanbase are optimistic that this deal will be a catalyst for growth – on and off the pitch. For the club’s women’s team, which has often operated in the shadows of limited resources, the deal represents a much-needed uplift.
