Former Kenya women’s volleyball team setter Jane Wacu has built an impressive legacy in Seychelles, juggling multiple roles in sports and business while continuing to make an impact on and off the court.
Wacu, 39, a Kenya Prisons Senior Sergeant, moved to the island nation in 2017 after signing with then-champions Anse Royale (ARSU). Currently, she plays for City Ladies volleyball team in the Seychelles Volleyball Federation league,and coaches Espoir Junior volleyball team and the International School of Seychelles.
Off the courts, Wacu has ventured into entrepreneurship, running Lavish Imports, a beauty company dealing in cosmetics, hair extensions, skincare products, and clothing, alongside her friend Solanna Camille.
Wacu credits her success in Seychelles to her Kenyan roots, stating that the country's rich sporting history has earned its athletes respect abroad.
“Being a Kenyan in Seychelles is an added advantage as Seychellois adore and respect Kenyans because of our sporting nature. I have been able to achieve all these in just seven years, and I’m still looking for more avenues to excel,” Wacu told Nation Sport during the Kenya Volleyball Federation Women’s National League third leg at Nyayo National Stadium, Nairobi, on January 25.
She added that the FIVB Level One Coaching Course, which she completed in Seychelles in 2018, further solidified her place in the country’s sports community.
“Seychelles wants to excel in sports just like Kenya. They value, respect, and trust Kenyans, which made it easier for me to secure opportunities as a coach and player," she noted.
Malkia Strikers setter Jane Wacu speaks during late Janet Wanja's memorial service on January 2, 2025 at Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani indoor Gymnasium.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation
Unlike in Kenya, where age is often a factor in a player’s career longevity, Wacu said Seychelles values performance over age.
“In Kenya, players are often forced into early retirement, but in Seychelles, as long as you’re delivering, age is a non-issue. I know a 47-year-old player who is still active. After retiring, many athletes transition into management," she added.
Wacu was recently in Kenya to pay her last respects to her long-time friend and fellow setter, Janet Wanja, who passed away in December 2024 after battling gallbladder cancer.
“I had to make a bracelet with Wanja’s name as a symbol of the bond we shared. She is still part of me, meaning wherever I go, she will be with me. Her death has taught me that life is short. People often tried to pit us against each other, but she set the stage for me. We had a healthy competition and complemented each other well,” Wacu said, holding back tears.
For years, Wacu and Wanja were poster girls for the Malkia Strikers, competing for the starting setter position.
She hopes to join the Malkia Strikers’ technical bench in the future in honour of Wanja, who was the team’s trainer.
“If I get the chance, I’d love to share my expertise with the team. I’ve been there, and I understand what it takes to play at that level. Coaching junior teams in Seychelles has prepared me for a smooth transition to coaching senior teams,” she said.
City Ladies are second in the Seychelles Volleyball Federation league standings with 11 points from five matches, behind Cascade, who lead with 17 points from six unbeaten matches.
She is determined to help her team qualify for the African Clubs Championship, set for April 1-14 in Abuja, Nigeria.
“Next month, we’ll compete in the Indian Ocean Cup, and if we win, we’ll qualify for the Clubs Championship.I can’t wait to play against Kenyan teams again. I previously competed in the event with Kenya Prisons, and I’d love to experience it with a Seychelles club,” she said.
Apart from volleyball, Wacu is also making waves in football, playing as a defender for Indian Ocean Tuna FC in the Seychelles Football Association.
“I was a football player at Tetu High School, but the school kept promising to form a team and never did, so I switched to volleyball. Returning to football was easy—it just took a few training sessions,”she said.
Wacu encourages Kenyan sportsmen and women to explore opportunities in Seychelles, where she believes there is more room for career growth.
“There’s a lot to be done in Seychelles, especially for sportspeople. If any players wish to come, they can always contact me. Many Kenyans are already excelling here,” she said.
Other Kenyan athletes thriving in Seychelles include coach Joseph Waiganjo, who heads Constance Ephelia Volleyball Club, and Nelly Nduta, Wacu’s teammate at City Ladies.
Reflecting on 2024, Wacu believes she has achieved many personal goals but still has aspirations left to fulfil.
“God willing, I want to start a family. That’s something I’ve been yearning for, and I hope it happens this year. On personal growth, I think I’ve done well, but there’s always room for improvement,” she said.
Before retiring from Malkia Strikers in 2022, Wacu won four African Nations Championship titles, four African Club Championships, an African Games gold medal, and nine Kenya Volleyball Federation National League titles.
She also competed in the FIVB World Cup, World Championships, World Grand Prix, African Games, African Clubs Championships, and World Club Championships.
In 2020, she fulfilled her lifelong dream of competing at the Olympics, when Kenya returned to the Summer Games in Tokyo after a 16-year absence.
Despite her success, Wacu stays connected to her roots in Majengo, Nyeri County.
"Whenever I visit Kenya, I go back to Majengo to check on my childhood friends and my mother. Life in the slums was tough, but we survived. I’ve been able to build a home for my mother outside the slums, but I still go back to encourage my friends to strive for better," she said.
"I heard he came looking for me while I was at Tetu, but he didn’t know my other name. I’m not ready to meet him," she added.
Though she has adapted well to life in Seychelles, Wacu admits she struggles with the local cuisine.
"I don’t eat seafood, which is popular here. Instead, I eat chow mein, which is like noodles. Seychelles has a small, close-knit population, and their hospitality is top-notch," she concluded.
With a population of approximately 130,418 in 2024, Seychelles continues to be a welcoming home for athletes like Wacu, who are making their mark far beyond Kenya’s borders.
