Her signature hairstyle and striking looks captivated fans, particularly men, who would flock to Kasarani Indoor Arena hours before a match just to secure the perfect view of her mesmerizing moves.
With a combination of talent, beauty, and brains, Wanja was a trendsetter and role model, envied by many peers for the adoration she commanded.
Despite the shorter playing careers typical for female athletes, Wanja defied the odds, boasting an impressive 17-year career in volleyball. Like fine wine, she only got better with time.
What many didnât know is that Wanja was also a prison warden. Photos of her in full police attire while on duty have recently surfaced online, giving fans a glimpse of her life outside sports.
Wanja fell ill in August 2024, shortly after returning from the Paris Olympics, where she served as the Malkia Strikers’ fitness trainer.Widely regarded as Kenyaâs finest volleyball export, her career began in 2004 at the Athens Olympics and peaked in 2007 when she was named the âBest Setterâ at the African Championships.
A Mukumu Girls High School alumnus, Wanja famously led Kenya to their seventh Women’s African Volleyball Championship victory on home soil under coach Sammy Kirongo.
After retiring, she transitioned into coaching, serving as the Malkia Strikers’ fitness trainer and working as a gym instructor at Kenya Pipeline.
In January 2024, she took on her first assignment as a coach at the East Africa Community Games in Kigali, Rwanda.
Her unwavering determination led her to the Paris Olympics later that year, even as she battled gallbladder cancer.
By Newshub