On the morning of Friday, December 27, 2024, Kenyans awoke to the heartbreaking news of the passing of volleyball legend Janet Wanja.
The celebrated former Malkia Strikers setter passed away while undergoing treatment at MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi after a prolonged battle with gallbladder cancer. She had fallen ill in August, shortly after returning from the Paris Olympics, where she served as the Malkia Strikers’ fitness trainer.
Wanja, born on February 24, 1984, in Nairobi, was 40 years old at the time of her death.
Her volleyball journey began at Mukumu Girls High School, where she discovered her talent and quickly rose to prominence as a top player. Wanja later joined the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) volleyball club, marking the start of her professional career. She subsequently moved to Kenya Pipeline, where she played until her retirement from the sport.
Wanja’s illustrious career saw her debut for the Malkia Strikers national team at just 19 years old during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. She was a key part of Kenya’s victory at the 2007 African Volleyball Championship, where the team clinched its seventh continental title by defeating Algeria. Her stellar performance earned her the title of Best Setter of the tournament.
The volleyball star also represented Kenya at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, adding another milestone to her career.
After retiring from professional play, Wanja transitioned into coaching. Earlier this year, she was appointed to the Malkia Strikers’ coaching staff. She accompanied the team to the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the World Challenger Cup in the Philippines, further solidifying her legacy in Kenyan volleyball.
Wanja’s love for sports ran in the family. Her elder brother, Kevin Kimani, played for AFC Leopards and represented the national men’s football team, Harambee Stars.
Her contributions to volleyball, both as a player and coach, leave an indelible mark on Kenya’s sporting history.
