We'll forever cherish her - DCI mourns Wanja

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has joined other Kenyans in mourning volleyball star Janet Wanja who died Friday morning.

Wanja's family confirmed her death through her brother, Kevin Kimani.

“The family of Janet Wanja would like to announce her passing on after a brace battle with cancer," Kimani said in an interview with a local radio station.

In a post, DCI said they will forever cherish her contribution in the national team.

"The DCI volleyball team and the entire DCI fraternity joins Kenyans in mourning the untimely demise of volleyball sensation," the condolence message reads.

"We extend our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends of the volleyball fraternity, praying that you find fortitude to endure this great loss."

Wanja passed away while undergoing treatment at the MP Shah hospital in Nairobi.

She is said to have fallen ill in August shortly after returning from the Paris Olympics, where she served as the Malkia Strikers' fitness trainer.

President William Ruto is among leaders who were first to conveyed their condolences.

Ruto eulogised Wanja as a gifted and disciplined volleyball star who served the cause of the country’s sports with honour and dedication.

"She was focused, hardworking and a team player. May it be comfort to her family, friends and the wider sports fraternity that we are praying for them at this tough and difficult time," Ruto said.

Wanja played for Malkia Strikers as a setter for at least 10 years.

She made her Olympic debut for the national team in 2004, at the age of 19, in the Athens Summer Olympics in Greece.

Wanja was born on February 24, 1984, in Nairobi. While little is known about her primary education, she went to Mukumu Girls High School in Kakamega for her secondary education.

This is where she emerged as a top volleyball player.

She would later on join the Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) volleyball club, where she started playing professionally, before she later joined Kenya Pipeline, where she played until her retirement from the sport.

In 2007, she was part of Kenya's national side that won its seventh victory at the Women's African Volleyball Championship. In the finals, they played against Algeria.

Wanja was voted the best setter in the championship.

She also won the Women's African Volleyball championship with malkia Strikers in 2007, among many other individual accolades during her time in the game.