Family dynasty in sports

Fathers and sons are a (relatively) common occurrence in professional sport, but several generations from the same family is a much rarer feat indeed.

A lot of things are hereditary and 'football genes' might just be one of them considering the number of families that are able to produce multiple professional players spanning more than a generation.

Including a closer look at the Kenyan sports personalities who have carved a name for themselves. Here’s a rundown of some famous football dynasties that have spanned at least three generations.

 More than just fathers and sons, of which there are plenty of famous household names that dominate the Kenya sports with some spanning from parents, sons, grandfathers and brothers as well that have produced crème talent that has spanned across generations.

The Injera’s (Rugby)

Wilfred Injera’s famous sons of Humphrey Kayange, Collins Injera and Michael Agevi, have a successful careers in the Kenya Sevens team, the former having captained Shujaa for several years.

The rugby industry has undoubtedly changed after both Humphrey Kayange and his brother Collins Injera burst into the scene.

Collins holds the all-time record for several tries scored in the World Rugby Sevens Series with 235 and both were part of the Kenyan team that won an inaugural Cup in Singapore last season. The duo of Kayange and Injera, and have become synonymous with the World Rugby Sevens Series being awarded prestigious awards including the 2010 presidential Order of Golden Warriors.

Agevi had stints with Shujaa and Mwamba RFC.

The Wanyama Family

Victor MacDonald, sons of Noah Wanyama, wrote their family name in golden letters of football, making it three families who have played for the national football team Harambee Stars.

Victor Wanyama, started his football career by featuring for Kamukunji’s soccer team in his final year in 2005 before he moved to JMJ Academy based in Kawangware to start his professional football journey.

Victor prominently featured for Tottenham in the English Premier League, after trading at Southampton and Celtic. His elder brother the former Harambee Stars midfielderMcDonald Mariga.

The duo’s parents, Noah Wanyama played for the national team Harambee Stars and AFC Leopards as a midfielder with his mother Mildred Wanyama, who played netball.

Other Wanyama siblings, Thomas Wanyama and Sylvester Wanyama (half-brother) footballers played in the Kenya Premier League. Sylvester Wanyama played as a defence with Sony Sugar FC while Thomas Wanyama was previously of Sofapaka and now for Mathare United.

Kundu Family

The two sisters, Agrippina Kundu plied her trade as a top volleyballers- representing the country at the national level, Malkia Strikers was instrumental in the team winning a ticket to represent Africa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

Annette on the other hand is a renowned Harambee Starlets football player who has aided her team to clinch their first CECAFA Championship title that was held in Tanzania.

 The Tikolos (Cricket)

Steve Tikolo is the best Kenyan cricket player, having played in England and Bangladesh. He scored the most runs and took the second most wickets for the team in ODI’s. Tom was the captain of Team Kenya in 22 ICC Trophy games. David, played three ODI matches for Kenya.

Maiyo Family

The Maiyo family is blessed with volleyballers where Philip Maiyo burst into glory while playing for CSKA Sofia in the Bulgarian Volleyball League where he was ranked one of the top volleyballers in the league before moving to Romania to play for CVM Tomis Constanta.

His younger sister, Lydia Maiyo, also plays volleyball with the national team making headlines in the squad and Kenya Prisons.

Other siblings who play volleyball within the family include Thimon Maiyo, Kenya Prisons,  Wobestus Maiyo (Nairobi Water) and Brian Maiyo (GSU).

Obiero Siblings

Zech Obiero and his elder brother, Micah Obiero, joined top clubs in English football and are sons of former Gor Mahia player, Henry Obiero.

Micah plays for Huddersfield Town as a forward and began his career with the club after spending three years playing for the under 18s side.

The Origis span two. The likes of former Harambee forward Mike Okoth, Liverpool striker Divock Origi to Norwegian goalkeeper Arnold Origi, the family have made a mark in the industry.

Arnold Origi however, ditched the Kenyan passport in order to adopt Belgian citizenship.

Ken Oliech, brother to former Stars’ skipper Dennis Oliech said there is a need for African players to remember their roots.

Oduor hails from a family of great footballers; his brothers Gerald and Anthony were defenders at Tusker while his son Arnold Otieno Origi who plays for Lille strøm in Norway has been Harambee Stars goalkeeper for a decade now.

Oduor is the elder brother to former Harambee Stars’ talisman Mike Okoth, the father of Belgian national team sensation Divock Origi.

Ajaccio striker Dennis Oliech, the ‘Menace’ whose choice of schools was inspired by his talent. Oliech was scouted to play football in Qatar immediately after completing his studies at Kamukunji.

Fred Serenge while still in primary, Serenge played for the Kenya Breweries Youth team during their festivals which was an annual event.

His father the late Paul Serenge Amwayi who played for North Nyanza and Goss age cup later CECAFA played locally and internationally.

Serenge having been raised in a polygamous family saw his maternal uncle, Peter Mwinamo play football in Tanzania and Kenya. The late Serenge’s Father played professional football for Cheche United in Tanzania. Maurice Serenge – Mumias Sugar, Joe Serenge – Kisumu Breweries, Fred Serenge – Tusker FC and AFC Leopards, Festus Serenge – Rivatex and Kenya Breweries respectively, Anthony Serenge – Motcom, Zedrick Serenge – Nakuru All Stars, Judy Serenge – Volleyball for Kenya Pipeline and National team, Jackline Serenge – National team Harambee Starlets, Patrick Serenge – Goalkeeper with Kakamega County.

Their Mother Domitila hails from a football family around Sigalagala-Kakamega.

He is married to Maxmille Shikanga, a daughter of the former International footballer who played for Bata bullets/ Motcom namely Alex Shikanga. The uncle to his wife is the late Livingstone Madegwa. Serenge has one son, Kevin Amwayi of Ulinzi stars.