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• Frank Rotich 3 months ago

‎Wanjii breaks glass ceiling as she becomes first female to head Tennis Kenya ‎

Kenyan sport witnessed a historic milestone on Monday as Wanjiru Mbugua, popularly known as Wanjii, was elected President of Tennis Kenya, becoming the first woman to lead the federation since its formation.

The landmark decision was made during the Tennis Kenya Annual General Meeting, marking a defining moment not only for the sport but for women’s leadership in Kenyan athletics.

‎The AGM was filled with emotion and optimism as delegates overwhelmingly backed Wanjii, whose acceptance speech struck a deep chord with the audience.

Her heartfelt address reflected years of dedication, resilience and service to sport, drawing warm applause and praise from across the sporting fraternity. Many described the moment as inspiring and long overdue, as Tennis Kenya opened a new chapter in its governance history.

‎Wanjii steps into the role with vast experience at both local and international levels. She previously served as Tennis Kenya’s elected Secretary-General from 2015, where she played a key role in strengthening governance structures and raising the federation’s profile regionally and globally.

Her leadership credentials were further cemented when she served as Chief Executive Officer of Team Kenya for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, one of the country’s most high-profile multi-sport assignments.

‎Her influence extends beyond national borders. Wanjii is the Vice President of the Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) and the President of CAT Zone IV, making her the first woman to hold that regional position. She also sits on the International Tennis Federation’s Gender Equality Committee, where she has consistently championed the inclusion, development and leadership of women in tennis.

‎Throughout her career, Wanjii has been a strong advocate for the empowerment of women and girls in sport — not just on the court, but in administration and decision-making roles.

Her election places her among a growing number of women now leading national sports federations in Kenya, a sign of steady progress in a sector that has long been male-dominated.

‎Kenya Aquatics President Maureen Owiti was among the first leaders to congratulate Wanjii, hailing her election as a powerful message to young girls across the country.

Owiti urged women in sport to step forward confidently into leadership roles and challenged retired female athletes to consider careers in coaching and administration, noting that their experience remains critical to sports development.

‎As Wanjii takes charge at Tennis Kenya, expectations are high and optimism is renewed. With her proven leadership, clear vision and passion for development, she is widely seen as the right person to unite stakeholders, nurture talent and drive the sport forward.

Above all, her election stands as a strong symbol of progress — proof that when barriers are broken, the entire sporting community moves forward together.