By John Lawrence

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has grown from a struggling outfit to be one of the best managed in Africa. Its stature has, in part, been boosted by a sponsorship deal with SuperSport. One of the major contributors to the success of the league is the huge number of fans, who turn up for games — especially those involving Gor Mahia, AFC Leopards, Sofapaka, Tusker and Ulinzi.

But while in the past only a sprinkling of hardcore female fans turned up for matches, more women are now taking to the stands.  And with them, they have brought more than a touch of colour and glamour to the game.  What is more, they have organised themselves in groups whose activities go beyond the stadiums. The Nairobian goes behind the scenes to bring you the stories of the most ardent female football fans and by the time you read the last line of this article, you will (hopefully) have no more doubts that football is indeed a beautiful game.

The INgwelets and Ingwe Ladies

Ingwelets, who support AFC Leopards, officially launched on September 1, 2012. But there is also a rival group: The Ingwe Ladies. They are affiliated to the Club of Leopards Active and Wise Supporters (CLAWS) Trust.

Ingwe Ladies’ main objective is to increase the number of female supporters of the club and leave a positive impact in the community.

“This way, the female fan base of our club grows and society is made a better place,” says Aidah Bunoro, the faction’s treasurer. The ladies have a website www.ingweladies.org and run an active Facebook page.

To be a member, one is required to pay a Sh200 registration fee (on condition that one attends three consequent meetings, held every first Saturday of the month) and pay Sh300 monthly contribution.

But Gloria Mwale, the Ingwelets Secretary General says selfishness may be the motivation behind the formation of the rival group.

“They were hungry for power. Some of them just wanted to be leaders so they formed a different ladies group,” Gloria told the The Nairobian.

Ingwelets boast of vast network of branches throughout the country.

The K’Ogalo Divas

Referred to as the ‘Queens of Kenyan Football’, K’Ogalo Divas are arguably the most colourful football ladies in the history of the local game. The group was formed  in 2010.

Founder members were Adumi Gyan Mamayao (Divas President), Judith (Vice President), Lorna Loarn (Treasurer) and Roselinder Achieng’ (Programme’s and Communications Coordinator). Key notable figures responsible for divas success are Naima Messsa Ferrari, Leah Gondi and lady Treazer.

Gor Mahia’s senior vice chairman, David Kilo applauds the efforts of the female fans, saying they have boosted the club’s image.

“The group is the most successful of the local clubs’ female fans and have in fact helped one of their members to get to Gor Mahia’s executive board,” Kilo told The Nairobian in reference to Roselinder Achieng’s election as deputy secretary general last year.

The Sugar babes

When Elly Kalekwa, popularly known as Prezda, formed Sofapaka, many did not know that the club would rise to the heights of the top-flight league in both fan base and on pitch performance. Today, Sofapaka boasts of a massive fan base both locally and all over East Africa. Amidst all the song and glamour from the stands, there is a group of stylish ladies, who have always kept the beat alive during all matches involving the ‘Batoto ba Mungu’, as the team is popularly known.

The club’s president describes the female supporters as dedicated.

Little is known about the so-called Sugar Babes, who for 90 minutes of active play spend their time singing and dancing to the tunes from the Sofapaka band.

Ulinziress

Ulinzi FC, the football club of the Kenya Defence Forces, is one of the most stable KPL teams due to the terms of engagement and job security in the contract.

Not to be left behind, the Nakuru-based team also has a female base, which is significantly represented in the capital.  The Ulinziress chairlady Olga Eglyne Otunga is a high school teacher at St Ulric Lama Secondary School in Subukia, Nakuru County, but attends all matches involving her team — home and away.

“I have great love for football and incomparable passion for Ulinzi,” says Olga. “We (Ulinziress) love the team because besides playing beautiful football, Ulinzi is the only club with an outstanding record of disciplined players and fans.”

She says Ulinziress not only supports the team but also participates actively in other non-football activities.

“We share the ideologies that revolve around the need for a peaceful Kenya and thus we participate in a number of Corporate Social Responsibility activities without discriminating on ethnicity race or gender,” she says, adding that the group’s membership is purely based on the desire to live in line with their club’s principles.

Joe Birgen, Ulinzi’s team manager, describes the female supporters as ‘dedicated and passionate’.