When I think of a football club’s app, names like Chelsea FC, Manchester United, and Arsenal usually spring to mind. But guess what? A humble Kenyan team is shaking things up in the local football space, and it’s not the heavyweights Gor Mahia, Tusker FC, or even top-tier debutants Mara Sugar. It’s not even from the Kenyan Premier League or second-tier National Super League. In a delightful plot twist, Kibra United, a Division One team based in the heart of Kibra, has officially beaten everyone to the punch with its own dedicated Android app on the Google Play Store.
Sure, Kibra United might not have the fanbase or finances of the big names, but they’re leading the charge in the digital game. Launched in November 2023, the Kibra United app is the first from a Kenyan football team to land on the Play Store, at least going by the little research I did, and it’s proving to be a game-changer.
Android users rocking version 5.0 (Lollipop) or higher can jump in on the fun, where fans get real-time notifications about live matches, team updates, and even purchase match tickets or club merchandise right from their phones. In its latest update, support for online voting was added — so fans can now weigh in on the man of the match or even player of the season, putting the power firmly in the hands of supporters. This system has already wowed fans worldwide, and seeing it implemented here in Kenya is like getting a sneak peek at the future of local football.
Here are some screenshots I took from the app showing the home page, the latest news and fixtures sections, the shop (merch), and the squad:
And let’s not forget the shoutout to the developer behind this sleek app — Dlabel — Kibra United fans are already raving about the app’s functionality:
- “The app gives first-hand and fast notification for live games. Kudos Kibra United team.”
- “Nice, smooth… I really love the graphics in it — 100% nice.”
- “Hii app imeweza… at least tutakuwa updated na everything concerning the team… Live match updates pia ziko on point!”
It’s nearly a year since the app launched, but it only has over 100 downloads. This shows the slow uptake of the app, or maybe fans still don’t know about it. Interestingly, it has an impressive 4.7-star rating from the first 8 reviewers. The app’s performance is smooth. I like the intuitive design and quick setup, allowing users to get Kibra United updates at their fingertips. From squad details — like player names, positions, and jersey numbers — to buying tickets for the next match, this app seems like the real deal.
So, if you’re a fan, give the Kibra United app a shot next time you check the Play Store — you might just fall in love with Kenyan football’s first mobile revolution.
iPhone users are still in the dark, but they can rest assured an iOS version of the app is in the works.
