Beldine Odemba has emerged as one of the most influential figures in Kenyan women’s football, making significant strides as a coach, mentor, and leader. Her journey from the playing field to the technical bench reflects both her passion for the game and a broader commitment to elevating women’s football in Kenya.
While details of Odemba’s early life and formal education remain private, her impact in football has been anything but small. A former players, she transitioned into coaching with a clear vision: to shape and develop the next generation of female talent in the country.
Odemba is highly qualified, holding several coaching certifications that underline her commitment to professional development, including the CAF C Licence, CAF B Licence, CAF A Licence, and a FIFA Women’s Coach Education Scholarship. Her coaching philosophy is grounded in tactical discipline, youth development, and a determination to see women’s football thrive in Kenya.
Her career spans grassroots to national-level coaching, covering schools, clubs, and youth as well as senior national teams. She led Highway Secondary School to the FEASSA Games final in 2022 and guided Kenya Police Bullets through an unbeaten season in their debut top-flight campaign (2023/24), winning the Kenya Women’s Premier League title.
She was appointed head coach of the Rising Starlets (Kenya U-20 women) in October 2023, and under her leadership, the team delivered strong performances, including a 6–1 victory against Angola in World Cup qualifier action. Later that year, she took over as head coach of the Harambee Starlets (Kenya senior women’s national team), inheriting a squad that had not qualified for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) since 2016.
Under Odemba’s leadership, the Harambee Starlets achieved a historic feat by qualifying for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. Her team beat Tunisia and Gambia (4–1 on aggregate) in the qualifiers, marking a major milestone given Kenya’s long absence from WAFCON. Her achievements earned her recognition, including the Coach of the Month award in October 2025 by the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) and Betika.
Odemba expressed gratitude for the honour, attributing the achievement not just to her leadership but also to the character and commitment of her players.
Despite her accomplishments, Odemba’s tenure with the Starlets faced challenges. In June, she resigned from her role as head coach of the senior women’s national team, reportedly following a 5–1 friendly loss to Morocco and internal tensions over delayed player allowances.
The Football Kenya Federation, however, managed to convince her to rescind the decision – and she remained in charge, guiding the Starlets through the WAFCON qualifiers.
Despite setbacks, Odemba’s influence remains significant. She laid strong foundations in youth football, emphasised professionalism and tactical structure, and revitalised hope and ambition in Kenyan women’s football. Her journey is emblematic of the challenges – and immense possibilities – for women in sport leadership roles in Kenya.
