When Victor Wanyama announced his retirement recently, the curtains had not only come down on his stellar career but marked the close of a chapter of one of Kenya’s most intriguing footballing stories… one of brothers who conquered the game at the highest level possible.
For the uninitiated, Wanyama is the younger brother of McDonald Mariga – and together they are two of the most successful footballers from Kenya to ever play professionally abroad.
To put things in perspective, in 2012, Mariga made history as the first East African footballer to win the UEFA Champions League, achieving the feat with Inter Milan under the legendary coach José Mourinho. Wanyama, meanwhile, came close to lifting the same trophy with Tottenham Hotspur in 2019.
With successful stints in Europe’s top-flight leagues – in England, Italy, Spain and Scotland – the brothers were successful football journeymen, making their impact felt wherever they landed.
Known in Kenya as the Wanyama Brothers, Victor Wanyama and McDonald Mariga are part of a wider ‘football foursome’, with their siblings Thomas and Sylvester also featuring in the Kenyan Premier League.
It’s said the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. The rise of the Wanyama Brothers is that of a sporting dynasty shaped in the modest neighbourhoods of Nairobi.
At the heart of it all are their parents, Noah Wanyama and Mildred Wanyama, both accomplished athletes in their own right. Noah played for Kenyan giants AFC Leopards and represented the national team, while Mildred featured prominently in netball, turning out for Kenya Railways. Their daughter, Mercy, also carved her own path in sport, playing basketball both locally and internationally.
Early life, background and career journeys
McDonald Mariga
McDonald Mariga was born on 4 April 1987 in Nairobi to a family passionate about sport. He began his football career at Kamukunji High School with the Golden Boys, where he gained recognition after consecutively winning national championships in 2002 and 2003.
In 2003, Mariga joined local clubs Ulinzi Stars, Tusker FC, and Kenya Pipeline before moving abroad. His professional career truly began in 2005 when he joined Sweden’s then Third Division side Enköpings, with his big breakthrough coming from 2006 to 2007 after signing with Helsingborgs IF in Sweden.
He later made a significant move to Italy’s Serie A with Parma from 2007 to 2010 before eventually signing for Inter Milan and winning the UEFA Champions League in 2010. This achievement made him the first Kenyan to play in and win the UEFA Champions League.
Additionally, Mariga became the first Kenyan footballer to play in La Liga in Spain during a loan stint with Real Sociedad from 2011 to 2012. In 2014, Mariga rejoined the Italian club Parma.
His journey continued at Latina in Italy from 2016 to 2017, followed by a move to Real Oviedo in Spain from 2017 to 2018.
Besides playing professionally abroad, Mariga was a key player for the Kenyan national team, serving as a midfielder for Harambee Stars and earning 40 caps between 2003 and 2018.
One of the few blemishes on his distinguished career may be his failed move to Manchester City in January 2010 due to work permit issues; the transfer collapsed.
After McDonald Mariga retired from professional football in 2018, he transitioned into politics and sports administration. He is currently the deputy president of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Victor Wanyama
Victor Wanyama was born on 25 June 1991 in Nairobi, and his football career began when he was just seven years old after joining local academies, including JMJ Youth Academy.
He later moved to Nairobi City Stars and AFC Leopards, with his European career launching in 2007 at the Swedish club Helsingborg.
In 2008, Wanyama joined Beerschot in Belgium, where his talent as a defensive midfielder was established. He rose to prominence after his performances in Belgium led to a significant move to the Scottish club Celtic, where he played from 2011 to 2013.
While still with Celtic, he became a two-time Scottish Premier League champion, a Scottish Cup winner, and the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year.
He subsequently joined Southampton from 2013 to 2016, helping the club secure its highest-ever finish (sixth position) in the English Premier League the 2015/16 season.
His journey continued at Tottenham Hotspur from 2016 to 2020, where he became a key part of the squad that finished second in the league in 2017 and reached the UEFA Champions League final in 2019. He also won the Premier League Goal of the Month award in March 2018.
During his time in England, Wanyama won the New African Soccer Premier League African Player of the Month award twice. His first accolade came in September 2014 during his time at Southampton, and he received the award again for his performances with Tottenham Hotspur in January 2017.
From 2020 to 2024, he relocated to CF Montreal, playing in Major League Soccer, where he established himself as the captain and won the 2021 Canadian Championship.
Impact of the Wanyama brothers on Kenyan football
After being elected as the vice president of the FKF in 2024, Mariga plays a key role in the national team as a technical advisor and administrator. His focus is on strengthening the squad and recruiting young talents for Harambee Stars, aiming to improve the team’s competitiveness for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations.
As for Wanyama, he is a transformative figure in Kenyan football, serving as a mentor. Known for his leadership and discipline, he is currently focused on elevating the country’s football and pursuing a coaching path.
His achievements are often cited as a major inspiration to young Kenyan footballers, with many describing him as the county’s most successful players, having captained the national team in the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations and played in the UEFA Champions League.
