Madina Okot becomes Kenya's first WNBA first-round draft pick, inspiring family and nation
via Tuko3 min read
Madina Okot has made history as the first Kenyan to be selected in the first round of the Women's National Basketball Association WNBA Draft. The Atlanta Dream picked Okot as the 13th overall selection in the 2026 Draft, making her the third Kenyan to play in the WNBA. Her father, Masayi Musa, expressed immense pride, noting that his daughter's success fulfills his own unachieved sporting dreams due to a lack of resources and parental support. Musa, who displays all of Madina's trophies at their home in Matungu constituency, Mumias, Kakamega county, encouraged other parents to support their children's talents while emphasizing the importance of balancing sports with education. Madina's younger sister, Sheila Nafula, looks up to her as a role model and aspires to follow in her footsteps. Okot is set to earn a base salary of $289,133 in her first year, increasing to $373,768 by her fourth year, benefiting from the WNBA's new wage structure.
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Must ReadActivists and families of victims have submitted a petition to the Kenyan Parliament, state agencies, the British Army Training Unit Kenya BATUK, and the UK Ministry of Defence, demanding that Kenyan courts be granted jurisdiction over British soldiers. This action follows a public meeting on June 20 and addresses the unratified Kenya-UK defense agreement, which has been in limbo since 2021 due to disputes over jurisdiction rights. Petitioners are calling for independent investigations into past cases, including the 2012 killing of Agnes Wanjiru, compensation for victims, formal recognition and child support for children abandoned by British soldiers in Laikipia, an environmental audit of training grounds, and the publication of the agreement before its conclusion. Lawyers and activists argue that the current legal framework is a "colonial relic" that prioritizes diplomatic relations over the lives of Kenyan citizens. The National Assembly's defense committee has previously recommended amendments to give Kenyan courts wider jurisdiction over foreign troops, and its chairman, Nelson Koech, has publicly called for an end to the immunity British soldiers enjoy.
Felix Omondi, 36, who was born with sickle cell disease, the same condition that claimed his elder brother's life, is now facing critical health challenges. After five years of battling chronic kidney disease, his creatinine levels have surged past 1,000 碌mol/L, necessitating emergency dialysis. Doctors have indicated that a kidney transplant is Felix's best chance for survival, as blood transfusions are not a sustainable long-term solution due to associated risks. His kidneys have also stopped producing enough erythropoietin, further complicating his condition. The transplant is scheduled for August 2026 at Aga Khan University Hospital. Felix and his family are currently raising KSh 5,000,000 to cover the costs of the surgery, hospital bills, medication, and post-transplant care. Despite a lifetime of pain crises and hospital admissions, Felix remains determined, stating, "I have never stopped believing that tomorrow could be better." Those wishing to contribute can do so via M-Pesa Paybill Number 4816197, using their name as the account reference. Further information is available by contacting +254 715 788 383.
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