Volleyball icon Janet Wanja to be buried on January 3 at Lang’ata Cemetery

Janet Wanja, a celebrated figure in Kenya’s volleyball scene, will be laid to rest on Friday, January 3, at the Lang’ata Cemetery in Nairobi.

Charles Nyaberi, the president of the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF), who is also part of the funeral committee, confirmed the burial plans.

Nyaberi said the team organising Wanja's funeral had settled on Friday as the burial date.

“There will be a memorial service at Moi International Sports Centre Indoor Arena at Kasarani on Thursday from 10 am to 2 pm. Afterwards, the body will return to Montezuma Monalisa Funeral Home on Mbagathi Road for an overnight stay ahead of the burial on Friday,” he said.

He noted that earlier plans for a funeral service at Lang’ata High School had been cancelled, adding that only the Kasarani memorial service would take place.

“The tentative programme that was shared earlier had indicated a funeral service on Friday, but that has since been removed,” he said.

Nyaberi said the burial will be a private ceremony, with only family members, close friends, and dignitaries allowed to attend.

A meeting of the funeral committee has been scheduled for today, Monday, at the Sports View Hotel in Nairobi, after which the family will give further details.

Members of the funeral committee include Francis Mutuku and Anthony Kariuki from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, former national team player Roseline Odhiambo, and representatives from both the National Sports Council and the government.

Wanja passed away after a brave battle with cancer, with her family expressing gratitude for the support they received during her illness.

“The family of Janet Wanja would like to announce her passing after a brave battle with cancer. Our sincere and deepest gratitude goes out to the Kenya Pipeline Company for walking the journey with us, providing all the necessary medical support,” Kimani, a Mathare United player said in a statement issued on Friday.

Wanja had been receiving treatment at MP Shah Hospital in Nairobi and spent her final days in palliative care at her home.

She left Mukumu Girls High School in 2005 and made her professional volleyball debut with the KCB women’s volleyball team before moving to Kenya Pipeline where she cemented her legacy. She played a key role in the team’s dominance, helping it win four consecutive local league titles between 2014 and 2017.

Her achievements on the international stage are equally impressive.

Wanja was a member of the Kenyan team that won the historic FIVB World Grand Prix title in Australia in 2015.

She also competed in two editions of the FIVB World Championship (2006 and 2008), three editions of the FIVB World Cup (2007, 2011, and 2015), and the 2004 Olympic Games.

In addition to her involvement in five editions of the Africa Women’s Volleyball Championship, Wanja also played in two editions of the FIVB World Grand Prix (2013 and 2015).

She helped secure continental titles for Kenya in 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2013, with some of the victories marked by celebratory jigs from Wanja and her teammates.

Her last engagement with the Malkia Strikers was as a trainer during the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as well as at the FIVB Challenger Cup in Manila, Philippines, earlier that year.