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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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Tuko.
A violent storm disrupted the trial of Christopher Okello Onyum, accused of killing four toddlers at a Ggaba daycare center, forcing the evacuation of presiding judge Alice Komuhangi Khaukha and an abrupt adjournment. The incident occurred in Kampala during a session of Uganda’s mobile court, set up near the tragedy's scene. Strong winds tore through the makeshift courtroom tent, causing panic among attendees and officials. This marks the second setback for the high-profile trial in recent days, following an incident last week where a vehicle transporting the suspect lost control and injured a journalist. The trial, which has gripped the nation since the April 2 killings, is expected to resume on Thursday, weather permitting. Authorities state that Okello Onyum allegedly posed as a parent to gain access to the daycare before carrying out the attack with a machete. CCTV footage from April 1, a day before the tragedy, showed the suspect driving to the scene, walking into the area, and leaving approximately six minutes later. A police surgeon also testified that Okello disclosed a past suicide attempt during a psychiatric evaluation.
A woman has become a first-time mother at 64, 27 years after she began trying to conceive. Obstetrician-gynecologist Nicholaus Stephen Mazuguni shared the news, posting photos and videos of the woman, who expressed immense happiness. Social media users reacted with congratulatory messages and prayers, highlighting the woman's perseverance and faith. The doctor was pictured with the new mother, sharing in her joy and holding the newborn. This story follows another recent account of a US-based Kenyan woman, Suzzie Blessed, who gave birth after a 45-year wait.
Wilkister Atieno, known as Chef Wao, has purchased her own tuk-tuk in Kisumu after returning from years of working as a domestic worker in Hafar Al Batin, Saudi Arabia. Before moving abroad, Wilkister earned KSh 9,000 per month as a security guard in Kenya. She returned home on December 24, 2025, and used her savings to start a catering business. Wilkister expressed pride in her achievements, acknowledging the silent battles and growth that led to her success. She intends to own a chain of tuk-tuks in Kisumu. Her story highlights her journey from guarding gates in Kenya to becoming an entrepreneur back home.
Must ReadAllan Njoroge, a Kenyan entrepreneur from Eldoret based in the United States, has developed ShiftNex, an AI-powered platform connecting healthcare workers with job opportunities. ShiftNex, which surpassed KSh 129 million in annual recurring revenue within five months, helps nurses, caregivers, and other medical staff find shifts, addressing staffing shortages in hospitals and care facilities across the U.S. The platform has attracted over 5,000 healthcare workers nationwide. Njoroge built ShiftNex using Lovable, an AI platform that allows users to create apps and websites without coding. Prior to ShiftNex, Njoroge founded Actriv, a large healthcare staffing agency in Washington State. His work has been widely praised by social media users.