As the world marks a day dedicated to the role played by dads, Pulse Sports highlights the legends who passed on their playing genes to their children
Fathers play an important role in shaping the character and wellbeing of their children and it gets better and more interesting if the young ones take on what their ‘old men’ were good at.
As the world marks Father’s Day on Sunday, there are a number of Kenyan sporting personalities who are thanking their fathers not just for taking good care of them but also passing on their sporting genes.
So, who are the Kenyan sporting legends whose children followed in their footsteps?
Noah Wanyama
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The former AFC Leopards stalwart molded his five children into sporting personalities of repute that have become superstars in the world, not just in Kenya.
Wanyama is the father of FC Montreal and former Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama, the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League, as well as McDonald Mariga, the only player from the country to have won the UEFA Champions League, when he did so with Inter Milan in 2010.
His other sons Sylvester Wanyama also played for the now defunct Sony Sugar in the Kenyan Premier League while Harry ‘Baba’ Wanyama, who was said to be more talented than the other three, also featured for local teams although he did not turn pro.
Noah’s daughter Mercy Wanyama, meanwhile, is an international basketballer who has had stints in Spain, having feature for local sides Storms and Equity Hawks.
Austin Oduor
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Another one with a footballing heritage, Makamu, as he was popularly known, featured and captained Gor Mahia and Harambee Stars in the 1980s and is regarded as one of the best defenders Kenya has ever produced.
Oduor passed his footballing genes to his son Arnold Origi, who was Harambee Stars goalkeeper for over 10 years, earning 45 caps.
The former Mathare United shot stopper has spent most of his career in Norway featuring for sides such as Lillestrom, Moss, Kongsvinger, HIFK and Hodd and currently works as a keeper trainer at the former.
Daniel Rudisha
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Now deceased, Daniel Rudisha was a Kenyan sprints legend who competed in the 400m and won silver in the 400x4m relay at the 1968 Olympics alongside his teammates Munyoro Nyamau, Naftali Bon and Charles Asati.
His son David Rudisha proved to be the greatest 800m runner of all time by winning two Olympics gold medals and as many world titles.
Further, Rudisha is the 800m world record holder following his scorching 1:40.91 set in London in 2012 on his way to winning his first Olympics gold.
Kipchoge Keino
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The father of Kenyan athletics, Kipchoge put the country’s runners on the global map when he won 1,500m gold at the 1968 and 1972 Olympics and he also has three Commonwealth titles over the distance.
His son Martin took on athletics but was not as successful as him, largely featuring as a pace setter for other runners.
Asif Karim
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Asif Karim is one of Kenya’s finest cricket players who made the country proud as Kenya made their debut at the ICC World Cup in 1996 and also featured in the 1999 and 2003 editions. Asif’s father Yusuf played tennis and was Kenyan Coast Tennis Association chairman for 25 years.
Asif’s son Irfan Karim followed in his footsteps and is an opening batsman who has turned out for Kenya in various age-grade competitions.
Frank Tundo
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Veteran rally driver Frank Tundo started rallying in 1972 and featured in various competitions. He passed on his motorsport prowess to his children son Carl ‘Flush’ Tundo and daughter Natasha Tundo.
Carl is a multiple Kenyan champion who has also won the Safari Rally five times while Natasha features in the WRC 2 class. The two will be behind the wheels at the 2023 WRC Safari Rally in Naivasha again next week.
Phineas Kimathi
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Another rally driver on the list, Kenya Motorsport Foundation chairman Phineas Kimathi in a former Formula Two champion.
His son McRae Kimathi is currently the 2022 ARC Junior champion and will be featuring in the WRC 3 class at this year’s Safari rally.
The youngster, named after legendary British rally driver the late Colin McRae is currently making waves in the rallying scene.
Azar Anwar
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Another veteran rally ace, Azar Anwar, the 2006 Safari Rally winner, has seen it all in motorsport in a career spanning decades.
However, unlike his peers on the list, his daughter Shehzana Anwar chose a totally different sport, archery.
Kuki, as she is popularly known, represented Kenya at the 2016 Rio Olympics and carried the country’s flag at the Games, making history in the process.
She had won the African Archery competition that qualified her for the Olympics in the same year.
Joe Kadenge
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Also deceased, Kadenge was one of the best football players Kenya ever produced as he mesmerised fans with his trickery on the pitch for Maragoli and later Abaluhyia (now AFC Leopards).
Kadenge’s footballing genes were passed down to his children with his four sons all tasting Kenyan football.
Francis and Oscar both played for AFC Leopards, Evans was on the coaching setup of Nzoia Sugar while Rodgers featured for Kenya youth team in 1984.
Dan Wanyama
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The Webuye West MP is a former volleyball player who represented Co-operatve Bank and captained Kenya at the 1991 All Africa Games.
Sports runs in the family and his son Bush Wamukota is currently among the star players for the Kenya men’s basketball team the Morans.
Wamukota has played professional basketball in Mexico and Tunisia and is currently in Rwanda turning out for APR.
Maurice ‘Sonyi’ Ochieng
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One of the best strikers who turned out for Gor Mahia, Maurice Ochieng, popularly known as Sonyi, is a bonafide Kenyan football legend who set a record that is yet to be broken.
He scored 26 league goals in 1976 as Gor Mahia won the title and his tally has stood ever since.
Sonyi’s son Victor Ochieng was also a striker like his father and featured for local teams AFC Leopards KCB, Chemelil Sugar and Western Stima, most recently in 2018.
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