In the evolving landscape of Kenyan women’s football, one team is leading the charge against stereotypes and traditional barriers: the Rongai All Stars Queens. Recently awarded the prestigious Tujiamini Initiative Gold Award in the South Rift Region, the team has cemented its status as a rising powerhouse in Kenyan sports. This honor, accompanied by a whopping KES 500,000 cash prize, has elevated their journey, helping them acquire new equipment, enhance training facilities, and, most importantly, inspire a new generation of female athletes.
A club built on empowerment and community impact
Established in 2013, the Rongai All Stars Queens emerged from a shared vision to create more than just a football club. For many of its members—young women from underprivileged backgrounds in Ongata Rongai, Kajiado County—joining the team was a lifeline. Head Coach Daniel Kyalo underscores this point, noting how the club instils self-discipline, teamwork, and confidence in each player. “For these young women, football isn’t just a sport. It’s a powerful tool for self-expression, resilience, and community-building, helping them to defy stereotypes and make positive life choices,” Kyalo explains.
The Tujiamini Initiative, developed in partnership with SportPesa Kenya, reflects this mission by supporting clubs like Rongai All Stars Queens committed to gender equity in sports. This partnership showcases the powerful role of sports in cultivating life skills like leadership, resilience, and self-confidence, helping young women navigate social challenges like early marriages and drug abuse.
Stories of triumph and potential
The club’s success stories are a testament to its impact. Among the standout alumni is Rebecca Odato, who plays for the Kenya National Under-17 team and recently represented the country at the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup. Another notable player is Rael Kamanda, who began her journey with the All Stars and now plays professionally in the premier league for Zetech Sparks. Kamanda reflects, “When we first started, there was hesitation from the community, but over the years, we’ve proven that women’s football has immense potential. Seeing the team grow has been incredibly rewarding.”
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These individual successes not only highlight the club’s role in nurturing talent but also bring attention to Tujiamini’s broader vision—to give young women the platform they deserve. According to Joseph Steventon, Head of Business Development at DBA Africa, the initiative is a “necessary step in leveling the playing field for women in sports. By bridging the gaps in resources and exposure, we’re creating more opportunities for young women to pursue their dreams on a professional level.”
Building the foundation for women’s football in Kenya
With the Tujiamini Gold Award funding, Rongai All Stars Queens can enhance their playing facilities, invest in new kits, and acquire necessary equipment—all essential resources for continued success and growth. This support is a step forward for the club and the future of women’s football in Kenya. The team’s rise and the initiative’s backing showcase the need for consistent investment in women’s sports at the community level.
The Tujiamini Initiative, along with best online sports betting firm, underscores the importance of investing in women’s sports infrastructure as part of a sustainable growth model. Together, they aim to build stronger talent pipelines from the community level up to the national and regional leagues.
A movement for change and inclusion
Rongai All Stars Queens’s accomplishments are a powerful reminder that sports can be a unifying force, breaking down traditional gender barriers and empowering women to take centre stage. This victory, and the stories of the players behind it, resonate beyond the football field—representing a new era for Kenyan women in sports.
With the continued support of Tujiamini, Rongai All Stars Queens is set to inspire aspiring athletes and a community that believes in the power of inclusion, resilience, and equal opportunity. Together, they are rewriting the narrative around women’s sports in Kenya, creating a legacy that will empower future generations, one match at a time.
