A public memorial service for Kenyan volleyball star Janet Wanja who died last Thursday, will be held on Thursday, January 2, 2025 at the Moi International Sports Centre Indoor arena, Nairobi.
Wanja will be buried on Friday, January 3 at the Lang’ata Cemetery, Nairobi in a private family ceremony.
The 5,000 seater is expected to host thousands of fans, former players,friends from the sporting world, political figures, National Olympic Committee of Kenya(NOC-K) officials, government officials, family and friends to celebrate and honour the life of the former Malkia Strikers setter.
Wanja died after a short battle with gallbladder cancer at her home in Kasarani surrounded by family. She was 40 years.
The indoor arena where her memorial service will be held, was her final local centre of duty where she led Malkia Strikers final training session before heading to Miramas for the pre-Olympics training camp in July.
Wanja’s body is lying at the Montezuma Funeral Home along Mbagathi Road, Nairobi.
She was fresh from accompanying the Kenya women’s national volleyball team at the Paris Olympic Games where she served in the capacity of a trainer.
The body of the former Kenya Pipeline setter who served the sport for 15 years will leave Montezuma Funeral Home for the service that is scheduled to start at 9:30am to 1pm.
Wanja first played for the national team in 2004 during the Athens Olympics Games and had a distinguished international career before calling it a day in 2017 after the Continental Olympic qualifiers in Italy.
At the club level, she had a short stint at KCB in 2005 before joining Kenya Pipeline in 2006 where she retired in 2019.
Wanja won four Kenya Volleyball Federation National league titles with Kenya Pipeline (2014-2017). She was part of Malkia Striker team that won the historic 2015 FIVB World Grand Prix in Australia.
She won four African championship titles in 2007, 2011, 2013 and 2015. All the titles were won in Nairobi endearing her well with her passionate fans.
She won bronze medals at the 2007 and 2011 Africa Games in Algeria and Mozambique respectively. Wanja made three World Championship appearances, in Japan in 2006 and 2010) and Italy in 2014.
She also played in three World Cups that were hosted by Japan in 2007,2011 and 2015. Wanja also made multiple African Women’s Clubs Championship appearances.
State Department of Sports-Sports Secretary Evans Achoki said, besides the government facilitating the venue for the memorial service, it had also assisted the family financially.
“The government is on top of things as far as the burial arrangements of the Wanja, a celebrated volleyball player, is concerned .We are, however, not disclosing how much the government has contributed to the kitty but it’s a good package. Same goes to former football player Ezekiel Otuoma. The government has also come through for him,” said Achoki on Tuesday.
NOC-K secretary general Francis Mutuku, who is also a member of the Wanja’s burial committee, said Wanja memorial service and burial plans were at an advanced stage to ensure she gets a send-off that reflects her status not only in the country but also in the world.
“We are in the final stages and everything is on course. Tuesday) we visited Kasarani indoor arena where the service will be held just to ensure everything was okay.
“Wanja served the sport the best way she knew how and we want to give her a befitting send-off,” said Mutuku.
Jane Wacu , who they had a healthy competition in the setting department with Wanja in the national team, for 13 years, is expected in the country Thursday night from Seychelles where she plies her trade. Wacu, a former Tetu High School player, is attached to Club Cascade.
Wacu, who had planned to visit Wanja before her untimely death, said:” I’m coming home to burry my roommate, my look alike, my sister.We shared a lot on and off the courts. Not the best time as I would have liked to see her when she was still alive but God had his plans. I can only give her my final respect. I’m still hurting maybe seeing her in the casket will give me the closure,” said Wacu on phone from Seychelles.
On New Year eve, Wanja’s legacy on and off the courts was celebrated as family and friends recounted their moments with her during the candle lighting at her home in Kasarani.
Candles were lit besides her iconic jersey number seven , and a love heart. The tentative burial budget was Sh2.5 million
