Priscilla Wangui Mburu, 32, is the 10th born in a family of 11. She attended Gataara Primary School and St Mary's Secondary School Thigio and later Kenya Police Training College, Kiganjo. Priscilla acquired the International Olympic Committee (1OC) Scholarship in May 2022. The police officer is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in counseling psychology at Salt Lake Bible College in the US. Her first international competition in the Olympic disciplines was the 14th African Shooting Championship in Tipasa, Algeria in 2019. She made a score of 601, thereby qualifying for the next stage.
How did you start this shooting journey?
Growing up, I did not love any sport. I was a softie. I tried badminton in high school, but only because we were required to be in at least one sport. I didn’t love it.
I started shooting in 2015 when I joined the police and we were introduced to guns. That’s where I discovered my love for shooting, and I proved to be really good at it. My instructor took a keen interest in training me further to become a trainer of trainers in Kiganjo.
After I graduated from the recruits programme, I joined the Kenya Sports Shooting team. I have been a Firearms Instructor in Kiganjo for the last seven years, until January 2023 when I got transferred to the Nairobi Area training college.
What specific challenges have you encountered in this sport?
You have to buy your own ammunition, too, and it is not cheap. Every three years, I have to change my kit or else it won’t pass the equipment test when I go for an international event. The funds part of this sport is the most challenging, but I’m very lucky because I acquired a scholarship with the International Olympic Committee after being ranked fifth in Africa.
Kindly give us a breakdown of the costs involved…
What’s the view of your family about this sport?
Why do you like shooting so much?
What does it take to be a great shooter?
You also need to work on your physical strength, so I go to the gym in the evenings and when I have time in the morning, I go swimming. Swimming helps, especially in holding my breath, because you have to hold your breath as you shoot.
What is your greatest dream?
Tell us about your nickname and what it means to you...
You are the best in Olympic shooting in Kenya in 50m prone; what does it take to get there?
Apart from shooting, what else do you do?
What advice would you give to somebody who wants to follow in your footsteps?
Who is your role model?
