In Kenya, a photographer documents one group grounded by COVID-19: athletes

James “Onyi” Onyango trains at his gym in Kariobangi. Louis Nderi: “When I met Onyi for the first time it was clear that he is a man that is dedicated and focussed on making a difference in his community. Many youths under the age of eighteen train for free at his gym. However, like many within the boxing community in Kenya, the general lack of financial assistance means that they have very little means of supporting their craft and the people that depend on them. Onyango’s story is the story of many.”

Onyango first got interested in boxing when he saw Moses Kinyua, also from Kariobangi, win a silver medal at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Louis Nderi: “Seeing someone from his neighbourhood scale such heights set Onyango on a path that would see him become the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) welterweight champion in 2017. Since then, he has not had any championship fights due to lack of opportunities and sponsorship. He therefore invested his time in running a local gym.”

Onyango's Fitness Hub gym in Kariobangi, a district of Nairobi.

Onyango at home with his daughter. Louis Nderi: “The impact of COVID-19 has been significant, particularly with boxers in Kenya. Having an upcoming fight gives one the drive and the morale to get up and train in the morning – the fight now has become a mental one. A fight against the self. A fight against depression. A fight against lack of opportunities. Despite the odds, Onyi remains fully dedicated to running his gym and being a pillar in his community. He does this without sponsorship or support from any entity.”

Rugby player Michelle Sinaida at home. Louis Nderi: “Before the onset of COVID-19, the players would be training two to three times a day and receiving allowances, but because all games have been postponed indefinitely, most of the players have had to seek alternate forms of making an income. This is the catch-22 that players face: they want to play for their home country but at the same time don’t receive what they deserve in terms of salary. [Fortunately] Sinaida is employed within the logistics industry at Lori Systems Kenya where she works as a market analyst. For her team mates that are not employed, they fade away and become “irrelevant” – that is, until the tournaments are back.”

According to Louis Nderi, female athletes in Kenya face a “catch twenty-two... players want to play for their home country but at the same time don’t receive what they deserve in terms of salary.” Sinaida says: “We put in so much effort and finances and it just doesn’t matter at the end of the day... The reality is that you are playing for a country that doesn’t even care about you. Sometimes it is pride, but are you really proud?”

Meshack Senge was a member of Kenya's international hockey team from 1998 to 2007. He now trains the men’s and ladies’ hockey teams, for the country's Strathmore University. Louis Nderi: “COVID-19 has presented a sustained challenge to hockey in Kenya, as for most of the players, hockey provides the only source of income that they have. Internal issues in hockey management such as the provision of equipment and adequate training facilities also present serious challenges to the morale of the players and coaches.” Continuing training via video calls, Senge also works as a senior IT engineer in the Kenya Navy. 

Senge's international hockey career was cut short by a knee injury. This led him to focus on coaching the sport, training in South Africa to become an International Hockey Federation (FIH) certified coach.

A training session in boxer Ken Ochieng's gym in Komarock Estate, Nairobi. Louis Nderi: “When I first arrived to make the pictures, I felt out of place being the only person wearing a mask. I am quite sure the neighbours felt uncomfortable too. Not because of me necessarily, but because it was a reminder of the times we are in.”

Footballer-turned-coach Ann Aluoch. “We (female players) don’t take football as a career in this nation because it doesn’t pay. We don’t have the same incentives or the same things the men’s teams have. For women it is not a career, it is just a passion for what you love doing.”

Ann Aluoch says the impact of COVID-19 has been significant on the lives of professional players, and many of the young people she coaches, for which she describes the experience of playing the sport as "medicine". Louis Nderi: “Before the pandemic some players would sell football boots and other kit to earn money, but now since not many people are playing their businesses have come to a standstill.” 

Professional footballer Christine Nafula is a skilled knitter – a hobby she now uses to support herself during the suspension of the football season during COVID-19. She says: “Before COVID, I was knitting mats... I created a group on Facebook where I would network and share photos of the different designs I have made, and people would buy them. So during COVID, this became my full time job, and would help get my bills paid and I could help my mum as well.”

Nafula at home in Vihiga, a town in Eastern Kenya close to Lake Victoria where she plays football for her local club, the Vihiga Queens, as well as national and international teams.

Louis Nderi: “According to Nafula, there are still significant challenges that face women’s football in Kenya financially. Out of the 16 teams, hers is only one of two in the Women’s Premier League that earn allowances – allowances which would go a long way during the pandemic.”