Meet Mutei grannies, kicking out age-related conditions through football

Kenya Grannies Mutei FC players train in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. [Peter Ochieng, Standard] In a typical village, grandmothers have traditionally been the exquisite storytellers; passing history from the older generations to young ones in the evening sittings. They rarely make history but sturdily detest drama as they instill discipline in families and communities. Grandmas are pillars, stabilising families and pushing grandsons and daughters to greatness. With their age comes inimitable responsibilities amidst battles that include old age-related ailments; the aching joints and backs as well as non-communicable diseases among them high blood pressure and increasing blood sugar. But a group of grandmas in Uasin Gishu County is defying all these odds. Welcome to the world of Tembelio grandmothers kicking away age-related illnesses through football. They are called the Kenya Grannies Mutei FC. At exactly 3pm, Mutei Primary School in the larger Tembelio area in Uasin Gishu turns into a theatre of exhilaration. 28 strong women arrive, roar like lionesses as they kick off their body fitness rounds. Spectators troop to the grounds ready to cheer the group of grandmothers who do their warm-ups with incredible ease. Moments later, just before 4pm, the squad takes their position on the football pitch and the whistle blows, signaling the kick-off of a scintillating football match. And then they play a spectacular football match as electrifying fans savour the thriller. This has been their routine for the last seven months. The energy they display as they control the ball, tackle opponents and run around the pitch makes you think that you are watching 25-year-olds play, but you are utterly mistaken, these are grandmothers aged between 52 to 75 years. Most of the time, they split into two teams and play against each other for 90 minutes, with an additional three or four minutes. But the major surprise is not the excitement that Kenya Grannies Mutei FC causes in Tembelio, it is the wave they are about to make. Worth noting is that, it is the only Grannies football team in East Africa. Late last year, just months after the team was founded, the Kenya Grannies team received a surprise invitation in the 2025 Grannies International Football Tournament (GIFT) to be staged in Nkowankowa in Limpopo, South Africa from April 2 to 5. Yesterday, as their preparations for the April GIFT tournament intensified, the elderly women footballers were celebrating their journey from village grandmothers battling age-related conditions to superstars who are overcoming challenges one after another through the sport. Team captain Gertrude Mutai, 56, says their love for football has superbly grown since mid last year when they kicked balls for the first time after admiring soccer since childhood. According to the captain, training daily has helped a number of the players kick out age-related ailments. "It just started as love for the game but has grown into something big. We kept training harder after the joint pains and chest problems that affected grandmothers for years eased and they became fit again. That has been the biggest motivation," Mutai says. She says her side was ready to face other granny teams from Europe and Africa during the April international tournament. Rebecca Cheboi, the oldest player in the team, says they will represent Kenya well in the Limpopo showpiece. Cheboi, who is aged 75, says when she joined other grannies to play football, she was the subject of ridicule in Mutei but football enthusiasts have turned out to be her biggest supporters. Through football, Cheboi says she has travelled to Eldoret City, her nearest town. "I am now exposed. I can't wait to board a plane for the first time during our trip to South Africa. I know that I am a motivation to many other women who fear to take part in sports because of cultural barriers," she says. She adds: "I experienced chest pains but through the physical exercises, I am well. I feel more energetic and younger." Clara Kiplagat, the youngest player in the squad says: "In South Africa, we promise to bring home the title. Our training has been adequate." Founder of the team Elizabeth Keitany says she established it after a doctor advised her to expose her ailing mother to physical exercise. "My mother had joint pains and the doctor recommended exercises. When I took her for exercises, and she felt better, other women joined and it has turned into a team that is recognised internationally. I did a quick research and found that there was a Grannies football team in South Africa and when we contacted them, we got invited for the international tournament," says Keitany. Susan Kimutai, a community health promoter developed a strong interest in the team and has been monitoring their blood pressure and sugar levels. "It is my routine to check their blood pressure and sugar levels and when close attention is needed, I refer them to the neighbouring Chelelmetio and Kimoning health facilities. The good news is, their health has improved significantly," she says. One of their coaches, Desmond Kirui says he had to quit volleyball coaching to train the grannies. He says their physical fitness which includes press-ups and playing takes three hours daily. "Because we are the only team in Kenya, we decided to have a millennial team which plays against the grannies. The grannies have severely defeated the millennial squad and that shows that they are tactical and strong," the tactician says. Kirui says 22 of the team including officials will fly to South Africa. Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii, who hosted the women in Eldoret, says their passion for football means talents are not limited by age. "Playing in South Africa is a huge opportunity for the grannies. It is an indication that the City of Champions has not exhausted its talents," he said. The GIFT event in South Africa is organised by Beka Ntsanwisi Foundation and the Vakhegula Vakhegula Football Club in Nkowankowa.

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