Former Malkia Srikers Setter Janet Wanja
- 25 views
On Friday morning, December 27, 2024, the Kenyan sports community was grieved by the news of the death of volleyball legend Janet Wanja, who passed away at the age of 40 after a battle with cancer at MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi.
Wanja’s health challenges began in August, shortly following her return from the Paris Olympics, where she served as the fitness trainer for the Malkia Strikers. Born on February 24, 1984, in Nairobi, Wanja’s volleyball journey commenced at Mukumu Girls High School, where she quickly established herself as a standout player. She later joined the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) volleyball club, which marked the beginning of her professional career.
Wanja’s exceptional skills earned her a position on the Kenya Pipeline team, where she played until her retirement. Wanja made history as a young athlete when she debuted at the Olympic Games at the age of 19 during the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens, Greece. Among her career highlights, she was instrumental in Kenya’s national team securing its seventh victory at the Women’s African Volleyball Championship in 2007, where she was also honoured as the best setter.
Wanja went on to represent her country again during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Following her retirement as a player, Wanja transitioned into coaching and was appointed as one of the coaches for the Malkia Strikers earlier in 2024. She played a crucial role during the team’s participation in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris and the 2024 World Challenger Cup held in the Philippines.
Wanja’s death has prompted a significant outpouring of condolences from various sectors. President William Ruto has taken to social media to pay tribute to Wanja, describing her as a gifted and disciplined athlete who dedicated herself to serving Kenyan sports. He expresses his heartfelt condolences to her family and the broader sports community, highlighting a collective resolve to one day conquer cancer.
Her family, represented by her brother Kevin Kimani, confirmed her passing and expressed gratitude towards the Kenya Pipeline Company, the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), the National Olympic Committee Kenya (NOCK), and the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) for their support throughout her illness. Kimani indicated that additional updates would be communicated soon.
Prominent figures within the sports community have also mourned Wanja’s loss. Harambee Stars Captain Michael Olunga, currently playing in Qatar, acknowledges her considerable contributions to volleyball in Kenya and the wider sports landscape while extending his condolences to her family during this challenging time.