Kenya woke up to a shocking news of the death of celebrated Malkia Strikers player Janet Wanja.
The setter for both Kenya Pipeline and Strikers succumbed to Gall bladder cancer as confirmed by her brother Kevin Kimani.
Wanja was a key player for the national women’s volleyball team, the Malkia Strikers, where she led the squad to numerous victories on both the continental and global stages.
She first rose to prominence during her time at Mukumu Girls High School before joining KCB Volleyball Club in 2004.
A year later, she moved to the Kenya Pipeline team, where she played until her retirement in 2019.
Her illustrious career featured a historic victory at the FIVB Grand Prix Group 3 in Australia in 2015, where Wanja and her teammates brought glory to the continent
Her achievements included five Africa Nations Championships, three All-African Games titles, and an extraordinary World Grand Prix title—making Kenya the first African nation to win the coveted trophy.
Wanja’s contributions extended beyond the volleyball court. After her playing years, she dedicated herself to nurturing the next generation as a fitness trainer with the Kenya Pipeline Company and later served in the same capacity for the national team during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.