The FIVB is deeply saddened by the passing of former Kenya national team star Janet Wanja, at the age of 40.
Born in 1984, Wanja has been a great influence in Kenyan volleyball since she got her breakthrough in 2004 when she was selected to represent her country at the Olympic Games Athens 2004 at only 20 years.
She went on to become a dependable setter of Kenya’s women’s national team, the Malkia Strikers, in a glittering career spanning 15 years. In total, she won five CAVB African Nations Championship titles with Kenya and featured at the FIVB World Championships, FIVB World Cup and FIVB World Grand Prix.
At club level, she played for Kenyan teams KCB and Kenya Pipeline, Rwandese giants APR as well as professional stints in the United Arab Emirates. She left a mark at Kenya Pipeline with whom she won several Kenyan league titles and one African Clubs Championship title before retiring in 2020.
Wanja served as the trainer of Kenya’s women’s national team during the Olympic Games Paris 2024 as part of her transition to coaching.
Wanja dedicated her life to the sport of volleyball, making significant contributions to the Kenyan and the international volleyball community, demonstrating unwavering dedication to the growth and development of volleyball in Kenya. She played a pivotal role in shaping the Kenyan volleyball landscape, and fostering a sense of unity. Her passion, commitment, and leadership have left an indelible mark on the sport and inspired countless individuals worldwide.
The FIVB and the global volleyball family extend their heartfelt condolences to the Kenyan and African volleyball community, as well as Janet Wanja’s family and loved ones, at this difficult time.
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