- The late Janet Wanja played for the Kenya national women’s volleyball team for nearly two decades.
- She won more than 10 international trophies with the Malkia Strikers.
- Wanja’s talent was nurtured at the Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School in Western Kenya.
Kenyans woke up to the sad news of the demise of one of the best volleyball players in the country’s history in Janet Wanja on Friday, December 27.
Wanja lost the battle to gallbladder cancer while receiving treatment at the MP Shah hospital in the capital city Nairobi.
The celebrated setter started to feel unwell shortly after returning from the 2024 Paris Olympic Games where she served as a fitness trainer to the Malkia Strikers squad.
Here are the key facts about a player who was adored by volleyball fans for her prowess, passion and dedication on and off the court.
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Early life and educational background
Janet Wanja was born on February 24, 1984 in Nairobi. The talented player was the third-child in a family of five children.
Her brother Kevin Kimani is also a sportsperson, who has previously played for the national men’s football team Harambee Stars. Kimani is currently on loan at the Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKFPL) club Mathare United.
Wanja started her education at the Kahawa Primary School before joining the then volleyball powerhouse Sacred Heart Mukumu Girls High School where her talent was nurtured.
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She was part of the Mukumu Girls High School star-studded team that bagged various titles between 2000 and 2004.
Remarkable volleyball career
Wanja’s rare volleyball talent was noticed while she was still a student in Western Kenya and her hard work was rewarded later with a national team call up in 2001, where she went on to represent the country at the 2001 All Africa Games. She did so at the tender age of 17.
The player, who died at the age of 40, landed her maiden professional contract at the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) volleyball team, where she played for a short time before being signed by Kenya Pipeline.
Due to her dedication, Wanja was selected to represent Kenya in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games in Greece, where the team finished 11th.
Her national team career was a trophy laden one. Some of the titles Wanja helped the Malkia Strikers win during her stint that lasted for nearly two decades include five African Championships titles, three All-Africa Games trophies and one World Grand Prix title.
The ingenious player was named the best setter in the 2007 African Volleyball Championships edition that was staged in Algeria.
Many Kenyans will not forget the significant role that Wanja played in the 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix where she helped the team secure the coveted title for the first time ever.
Technical role
Wanja stopped playing active volleyball in 2019 and ventured into the technical role. She worked with Kenya Pipeline before being named Malkia Strikers’ fitness trainer in the build-up to the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
In Paris, she played an instrumental role to help Malkia Strikers register some incredible displays.
Tributes
Some of the players, who worked closely with Wanja during her career including Malkia Strikers skipper Trizah Atuka, continue to pay tribute to her.
“She knew what to do, how and when. This will take forever to pass. Hard times and fond memories of her. This is tough to take. Rest in peace champ,” stated Atuka.
On the other hand, Kenya’s President William Ruto has described Wanja as a legend who served Kenya with commitment.
“Janet Wanja, a gifted and disciplined volleyball star, served the cause of our country’s sports with honour and dedication.
She was focused, hardworking and a team player. May it be comfort to her family, friends and the wider sports fraternity that we are praying for them at this tough and difficult time. One day, we will beat cancer. Rest in Peace, Wanja,” read his statement.
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