Inspiring stories of Kenyan athletes who grew up in slums

• Sports have changed the life of many people around the world
• There are several Kenyan athletes who grew up in slums and have inspiring stories considering how they completely turned their lives around
• These athletes are worth celebrating as they are our own and have raised the Kenyan flag higher

Whether it’s football, boxing, athletics, cricket or even tennis, sports have changed the lives of many people around the world. But with focus being put on the sportsmen overseas, we often forget about our African heroes who have rags to riches stories. There are several Kenyan athletes who grew up in slums and have inspiring stories considering how they completely turned their lives around.

These athletes are worth celebrating as they are our own and have raised the Kenyan flag higher. With that said, here are seven famous Kenyan athletes who grew up in slums:

1. Nick Okoth

Nick Okoth. Photo/ The Star.

Nick Okoth is a renowned Kenyan boxer who has showcased his skills in the ring at various major boxing events. Okoth was the winner of the 2nd AIBA African Olympic Qualifying Tournament in 2008 and clinched another medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games. He has also featured at the Olympic Games in 2008 and 2020.

Well, his story starts in Mathare slums, where he grew up alongside his three brothers, Absalom ‘Diblo’ Okinyi, Steve Omondi and Paul ‘Polipo’ Ouma. Just like many other boys in Kenyan slums, Okoth fell in love with football at a young age and had the dream of being a professional footballer. However, one of his brothers convinced him to switch from football to boxing, an advice which he listened to.

Considering the success Okoth has achieved in the ring, he never regrets the decision to trade his football boots with gloves. The 41-year-old, his brothers and first cousin Edwin ‘Ocox’ Okongo, who is a Senior Private at Moi Air Base,  are products of St. Teresa’s Undugu Amateur Boxing Club at Eastleigh Section One

2. Johanna Omolo 

Johanna Omolo is one of Kenyan athletes who grew up in slums and are now inspiring many youth across the country. The footballer’s journey to the top started in Dandora slums where he was raised. He had a difficult upbringing as his parents struggled to make ends meet. His mother was a hairdresser and father a retired brigade officer.

Johanna Omolo. Photo/ Goal.com.

Many young boys in Dandora turn into crime but Omolo escaped this by focusing on football. He was 13 years old when he got the opportunity to play for Mathare Youth Sports Association after passing trials and has never looked back in his football journey.

Omolo started his senior career at Coast Stars and has since played for various clubs outside the country, including Cercle Brugge, Antwerp, Beerschot and Lommel United. The 34-year-old plays as a defensive midfielder and represents the Kenya national team at international level.

3. David Obuya 

David Obuya is one of the players who have played a significant role in putting Kenya on the map when it comes to cricket. Obuya and his two brothers Kennedy Otieno and Collins Obuya got the attention of cricket fans worldwide following their heroic performance at the 2003 World Cup where they led team Kenya to the semi-finals.

After their return to Kenya from the tournament, Obuya and his brothers decided to help nurture young talents who want to be the next stars in the sport. They formed Obuya Cricket Academy (OCA) in Lavington where they offer training.

The Obuya brothers are an inspiration to many young athletes dreaming to make it big in sports but feel disadvantaged due to the harsh conditions of slum life. This is because they grew up in the slums and have spent the better part of their lives in the slum.

David Obuya is one of the Kenyan athletes who grew up in slums. Photo/ Capital News.

4. John Gicharu 

John Gicharu is a name many boxing fans in Kenya are familiar with. A legend of the game, Gicharu quit professional boxing in 2015 with a record of 15 wins (7 KOs), 10 losses and two draws.

Gicharu has never been shy of narrating how things were difficult for him before venturing into boxing. During an interview with The Standard, Gicharu said he found himself in the slums of Korogocho at the age of five after his parents decided to relocate from Machakos to the capital.

Since things were tough at home, he decided to drop out of school and delved into garbage collection in Dandora. His passion for boxing was ignited in 1998 after seeing Moses Kinyua represent Kenya in Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Kinyua also lived in Korogocho and advised Gicharu to start practicing in boxing – advice which he would listen to. Gicharu joined the Bangladesh Boxing Club in Kariobangi and quickly rose through the ranks to become one of Kenya’s finest boxers.