I was born third of six kids in Ngomongo Estate in 1987 Nairobi, Kenya. Four years later we moved to Mathare North where I grew up. I attended Valley Bridge Primary School in Huruma and later Maina Wanjigi High School. I took a Cabin Crew and Tours and Travel course at Nairobi Aviation and studied German at the Goethe Institute. My parents live in Kariobangi South together with my three youngest siblings Christine, Erick, Vivian and our cousin Brenda.
My dad played football back in the days when he was younger. He was very good but he couldn’t play further than high school due to a hip injury. His dream of becoming a soccer star lived on through his kids and today he is a very proud father for he still feels like a star...
Other than soccer I enjoy watching tennis, swimming and basketball, but I enjoy basketball more and play it for fun when I get the chance. I went to watch Mathare United play; ever since I was little, I have learnt a lot from my brother Anthony — that’s why I went to most of their games in Nairobi. Across the borders I am a Manchester United Fan. Christiano was my favourite.
I started playing football in the neighbourhood of Mathare North with a close friend called Monica. We played childhood games, like bladder, and kati together with other girls but Monica and I would go out and play with boys our age at a certain nursery school in the area.
Sometimes they let us play, but when they didn’t, we were forced to make our own juala (polythene bags) ball and play.
My Brother Anthony also encouraged me a lot when he realized that I had the passion for the game. He bought me my first soccer kits.
On my way to school I also made sure I had something to kick all the way and back and whenever it went into a ditch, I would bring it out with my foot and go on.
At age 10, I joined a team called North Villas. Which was Coached by George Nange from MYSA who was forming a girl’s team at the time.
My mother didn’t like it at first since she believed that it was a man’s game and that girls are better off at home doing household chores and taking care of younger siblings. It was so hard to convince her. She always punished me whenever I sneaked out to go and play.
One day North Villas had a crucial MYSA match, I knew that my mother wouldn’t let me go I made the whole team come home to get me and ask for her permission. She still said no.
Luckily my dad was around and when he heard them he immediately came out to find out what was going on. He was very surprised that I played football and he gave us the permission. He was so happy and awaited my return just to hear of the news about the game.
In 1999 I made it to Norway — that was my first trip abroad and the first time to participate in a big tournament in Europe.
In 2000 and 2001, I participated and won the trophy as captain against Denmark in the finals. In late 2001, I got a call to play in the national Team where we played a friendly game against Ethiopia. Early the following year, I travelled with the national team to the USA for soccer camp and friendly tournaments at Yale University in Connecticut.
Later on I captained the Kenya under-20 against Nigeria in 2006 and also played against Djibouti and Cameroon.
I have participated in various local and regional tournaments organised by MYSA, KFF and other regional bodies where I have won trophies severally as the Best Player and also Top Scorer.
In 2006, I went with MYSA to the first ever street football world cup where we emerged champions in Berlin, Germany.
Winning is what makes any game sweet. I remember when we won the Norway Cup in 2001 and I was awarded a golden boot for the Best Player of the tournament. I couldn’t believe it!
Thou Challenges have been part of my success — without them I couldn’t have made it this far. I have had people try all sorts of things in vain just to bring me down; instead it made me stronger.
I am now living my dream of playing international football in Europe, as I Play in Germany's women's Bundesliga for werder Bremen.