Published on December 27, 2024 by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Last Updated on 2 years by Agencies for Kenya Online News
Celebrated Kenya’s volleyball star and national team coach Janet Wanja is dead.
Confirming, the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) said it is deeply saddened to announce the passing of its beloved star, iconic veteran setter Janet Wanja Mungai, after a courageous battle with Gall Bladder Cancer.
In the statement, the KVF chairman Charles Nyaberi said Janet’s contributions to the Federation and sports, in general, were extraordinary.
“She was a dedicated, passionate, and incredibly talented player who represented both her club and country at the highest continental and global levels for over two decades. A product of the perennial National Schools Champions Mukumu, she began her illustrious club career with KCB before making her mark at Kenya Pipeline, where she truly shone, ” said Nyaberi in the statement.
” We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Janet’s employer, Kenya Pipeline Company, for their unwavering support in covering the high costs of her treatment at MP Shah Hospital and the subsequent home care. We also appreciate the National Olympic Committee, FKF, and the Kenyan Sports Community for their emotional and moral support during this difficult time, “said the federation boss.
Nyaberi said the Volleyball Fraternity has lost a hero, but Janet’s legacy will live on.
“Her dedication and passion will continue to inspire future generations of volleyball players. May Janet Wanja Mungai’s valiant soul rest in eternal peace, ” he said.
Wanja who has been battling gallbladder cancer for about four months. Wanja etched her name in the annals of Kenya’s volleyball history as the national team’s best setter.
She is renowned for her illustrious volleyball career, the highlight of which was representing Kenya at the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens.
Wearing jersey number 7, she competed with the national team, finishing 11th place. A Mukumu Girls High School alumna, she later played for local volleyball giants Kenya Commercial Bank and Kenya Pipeline. In 2007, Wanja played a pivotal role in leading Kenya’s national team to its seventh Women’s African Volleyball Championship victory, defeating Algeria in the final.
Earlier this year, Janet transitioned to a new role as the Malkia Strikers Team Trainer. Her expertise and leadership were instrumental in guiding the team to the Paris Olympics and the World Challenger Cup in the Philippines.
One of her first assignments as a trainer came in January 2024 at the East Africa Community Games in Kigali, Rwanda, from January 29 to February 5.
Under her stewardship, Kenya’s volleyball team maintained her status as the highest-ranked nation in Africa with 180 points during one of the latest rankings by the International Volleyball Federation.
This was largely due to the Malkia strikers’ participation in the African Games, Africa Cup of Nations, Intercontinental Olympics qualifier and the World Cup.
Wanja and the Malkia Strikers also made it to the Paris Olympic games, where they were unfortunate to crash out after three straight defeats to Brazil, Poland and Japan. Those defeats saw them finish bottom of their group.
Despite the disappointment in Paris, Wanja, who is widely known for her fighting spirit, openly expressed her determination to change the narrative as far as Kenyan volleyball was concerned.
During her club career, she represented KCB from 2004 to 2005 before making the move to Pipeline, where she played until her retirement in 2019.
Her playing career is adorned with accolades, including five Africa Nations Championships, three All-African Games titles, and the World Grand Prix title.
