Having grown up in Githurai Estate in Nairobi, striker Faith Mboya always dreamt of playing for the national women’s team, Harambee Starlets.
This season, the 20-year-old defied expectations by finishing as the second-highest scorer in the Football Kenya Federation Women Premier League (FKF-WPL) with 15 goals in 10 matches—just one goal behind top scorer Rebecca Okwaro of defending champions Kenya Police Bullets.
Mboya joined Kibera Soccer Ladies mid-season from National Women’s Super League (NWSL) side Sunderland Samba.
She had honed her skills at Soccer Wizard Academy in Githurai before joining Sunderland, thanks to Sunderland midfielder Faith Kavinya, who noticed her talent and facilitated her move.
“I used to train with men as I didn’t know who to contact to join any club, so when Kavinya approached me, I didn't hesitate,” Mboya stated.
She joined Sunderland at the start of the 2024/25 season and led them to a second-place finish in the NWSL, becoming the league’s top scorer with 15 goals in just half a season—a tally she still holds.
Six months later, Kibera coach David Bujego approached her with a long-term offer, prompting her return to FKF-WPL.
In her debut for Kibera on January 26, she scored four goals in a 4-1 win over Bungoma Queens. She followed that with a hat-trick in a 5-0 victory against Bunyore Starlets.
In the final match of the season, held at Marist International School in Karen on May 25, Mboya scored five goals in a 7-1 rout of Mombasa Olympic.
“It feels good to be a scorer,” she said.
“If I had joined Kibera earlier in the season, I might have been the league's top scorer, but we'll try again next season. It feels good to be among the top scorers, having faced experienced players in the league.
I have learned a lot as a player, and I believe next season will be bigger and better,” added the former Ikalioni Secondary School student from Makueni County.
Mboya earned her first national team call-up in February from coach Beldine Odemba as part of a 36-player provisional squad for the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers against Tunisia, but she did not travel due to a lack of travel documents.
Her second call-up came in March, where she made her debut during international friendlies against Côte d'Ivoire, scoring in both 2-2 draws.
She is also part of the Starlets squad that travelled to Morocco on Monday for a friendly against the hosts on Wednesday.
“My dream was to play for the national team. Growing up in Githurai, not far from Moi Sports Centre Kasarani, I dreamed of playing in that stadium representing my country, and it's happening,” she stated.
“I want to play football and help my family financially. Life has not been easy, with ups and downs.”
Mboya hails from a sporting family. Though her parents didn’t play professionally, they played amateur football in Githurai and have been actively supportive of her career, often attending her matches.
She and her identical twin, Fidel Adhiambo, are the youngest of five siblings—three girls and two boys. They both play as strikers for Sunderland Samba.
Her eldest brother, Nicholas Odhiambo, previously played for Vihiga United in the National Super League (NSL), while another brother, Levan Ochieng, featured for Sofapaka FC in the FKF Premier League and now plays community football.
Their sister, Marien Atieno, formerly of Mathare United Women, has since transitioned to business.
Faith and Adhiambo were awarded a partial football scholarship to Ikalioni High School, which was later upgraded to a full scholarship due to their exceptional performance, supported by Mathare coach Ann Aluoch.
“My siblings giving up on football motivated me to work harder daily. They quit at an early age, feeling that football doesn't benefit them. My twin and I motivate each other every day because we want to bring change to our family. Our parents never had the chance to play professionally, and we want to make that happen.”
Her dream is to play in Europe, specifically for Chelsea Women FC.
She admires Colombian and Real Madrid forward Linda Caicedo, Chelsea’s Lauren James, and Harambee Stars striker and captain Michael Olunga.
Outside football, she spends time jogging or helping her mother run their small hotel in Githurai. She enjoys ugali and chicken, and though predominantly right-footed, she can comfortably use both feet.
