Kenyans Mourn Malkia Strikers Legend Janet Wanja's Death After Battling Cancer

Kenyans Mourn Malkia Strikers Legend Janet Wanja’s Death After Battling Cancer

Janet Wanja, a former Malkia Strikers star, died barely weeks after her family revealed she had gallbladder cancer.

Wanja’s family acknowledged her death on Thursday evening, December 26, in a statement, stating she had lost her struggle with the disease.

“The family of Janet Wanja would like to announce her passing on after a brave battle with cancer,” a statement from one of her family members read.

In the same statement, the family thanked Kenya Pipeline for offering to pay for all of her medical expenditures earlier in December after a financial appeal was launched to help with her treatment.

Wanja was one of the Kenya Pipeline volleyball team’s longest-serving players, joining in 2005 and retiring in 2019.

The family statement went on, “Our sincere and deepest gratitude goes out to the Kenya Pipeline company for walking the journey with us from the beginning and tirelessly providing all she needed in medical support.”

Wanja’s death has shocked the Kenyan sporting community, who had hoped she would overcome her cancer diagnosis.

Sad News: Kenyan Volleyball Star Janet Wanja, a former Malkia Strikers fitness trainer, has passed away after battling gallbladder cancer.

Our heartfelt condolences to her family and loved ones 🙏🏽

So sad 😭😭💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/gs2W9uscpW
— Carol Radull (@CarolRadull) December 27, 2024

Harambee Stars and Al-Duhail striker Michael Olunga was among the first to express his condolences in a heartfelt statement.

“Gone too soon. Your contribution to Volleyball in Kenya and the sports industry was immense and will never go unnoticed,” he said.

President William Ruto also lamented the Malkia Strikers legend, describing her as a national hero.

“Janet Wanja, a gifted and disciplined volleyball star, served the cause of our country’s sports with honour and dedication,” the President said.

“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.”

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… pic.twitter.com/JsP8sscw2m
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) December 27, 2024

CRUEL CANCER. Rest in peace our heroine Janet Wanja. Thank you for the pride and honour you bestowed upon our flag and our country. pic.twitter.com/SNYFpbjPvX
— Linus Kaikai (@LinusKaikai) December 27, 2024

💔
Rest in peace Janet Wanja pic.twitter.com/fkTXEH8lA0
— ERIC OMONDI (@ericomondi_) December 27, 2024

Wanja, arguably Kenya’s best female volleyball export, had a stellar career, debuting for the national team in 2004 at the Athens Olympics.

Wanja, a Mukumu Girls High School alumnus, is also known for leading the national volleyball team to their eighth Women’s African Volleyball Championship on home soil under Sammy Kirongo’s leadership.

Throughout the tournament, she was dubbed the ‘best setter’.

After retiring, she went into teaching, serving as the Malkia strikers’ fitness trainer.

ALSO READ:

Her first assignment was in January 2024, at the East Africa Community Games in Kigali, Rwanda, which ran from January 29 to February 5.

Wanja, known for her tenacity, also accompanied the Malkia Strikers to the Paris Olympic Games earlier this year, although secretly suffering from gallbladder cancer.

Her team, however, was unfortunate to be eliminated after three consecutive losses to Brazil, Poland, and Japan. Those defeats landed them at the bottom of their group.

Aside from being the national team’s trainer, Wanja also served as a gym instructor at her old club, Kenya Pipeline.

Kenyans Mourn Malkia Strikers Legend Janet Wanja’s Death After Battling Cancer

Tags: Janet Wanja