Laurah's Love for Vihiga Queens: A Story of Kenya's Growing Female Football Fanbase

Football is a game that is experiencing a significant change; there has been a drastic rise in the number of female fans who are actively trying to change the narrative, “Football is for men.”

In Kenya today, more women than ever are interested in football. Not only do they support the Kenya Women Premier League (KPWL), but they also support the men's league, the Kenya Premier League (KPL), and all low-tier leagues. Their support is felt in the stands or terraces on match days. They also support the club by purchasing their merchandise and paying the ticket fee.

Tisini spoke to one of the dedicated Vihiga Queens fans, Laurah Muhonja, about her passion for the sport and how they’re trying to bring together a collection of like-minded female fans.

“Since 2018, I just wanted to know how women's football works, so I decided to start with a team in my home county,” Laurah says. She has been a Vihiga Queens fan since 2018. It is a powerhouse football club in Kenyan football and also in her neighbourhood, so he felt that it was nice to support it. 

Vihiga Queens line up ahead of a match

“Winning CECAFA, winning KWPL, and playing CAF” These are some of the best moments that Laura has experienced as a Vihiga Queens fan. Watching her club play in the continental football must have catalyzed her desire towards football. 

“Watching it with my dad, falling in love with jerseys and jersey numbers even without knowing the names of players,” Laurah highlights this as some of her favourite football moments while growing up. She just enjoyed watching the iconic yellow and blue Vihiga Queen's jersey with the number printed on the back. Despite her not knowing the player's name, she did not give up on supporting the team.

Female fans in the country have had some initiatives to bring together a collection of like-minded fans. Laurah ascertained this by saying, “Gathering data in different games around, as rallying other fans to come up with a woman of the month, where we used to award 5k cash, a personalised trophy, and a pair of boots.” 

This initiative was fan-based, and it was aimed at motivating the best-performing player in the Kenya Women's Premier League. Also, there's an X space on Tuesday dubbed “Football Ke” that exclusively talks about women's football in our country.

Recently, there has been some attention to women's football after our national team, Kenya U17, participated in the World Cup. Laura feels this will act as a stepping stone in attracting more fans. “Yes, as long as there is a word out there, many will grow interested in knowing what happens on this side (women's football).”

Female football fans at a Vihga Queens Game

“Yes, there has been a significant change. It might not be too much, but at least something is being done. We need more, though.” With recent waves of support from women fans, Laura is confident that women's football will take on a different look in the coming days. Ranging from the media that is shedding some light on women's football to the federation that is showing some support for women's football, and some individuals who are advocating for women's football.