President William Ruto has made a personal donation of Ksh500,000 to the family of late Malkia Strikers setter Janet Wanja, who passed away on December 27, 2024, after battling cancer.
At the memorial service held in Nairobi on Thursday, January 2, 2025, the Ministry of Sports also pledged a donation of Ksh500,000 to support the family with funeral arrangements.
Though President Ruto could not attend the service, he sent a heartfelt condolence message celebrating Wanja’s remarkable achievements. In his message, Ruto described Wanja as one of Kenya’s finest sportswomen, noting that she broke barriers and set records with humility, strength, and dedication.
“Janet Wanja was a tireless giant in sports whose discipline and mental fortitude were unmatched. Kenya was fortunate to have had her serve with such honour and commitment,” Ruto’s message read.
Wanja was widely recognized for her significant contributions to Kenyan volleyball, including representing the country in international competitions such as the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
At the time of her death, she was serving as the fitness trainer for the Malkia Strikers and was also part of the coaching team for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
