Isaac Wanjawa: Budding hockey star chasing an advocate dream

History has it that most scientific discoveries and technological breakthroughs came about as a result of curiosity.

Isaac Wanjawa may not have made world-changing scientific discoveries, but his curiosity to know how it was possible to not only hit a small ball with a stick but also have full control of it led him to a now-promising hockey career. Just like every other boy, he grew up looking up to his elder brothers and wanted to follow in their footsteps.

In admiration of his brother Martin Wanjawa then a basketball player at St Peter’s High School Mumias, he started playing basketball while in Musingu Friends Primary School. But living in Musingu High School, a hockey powerhouse where his mother, Mary Wanjiru, was the deputy principal, the desire to know how the game is played brewed inside him.

“I started playing hockey when I was 13 years old. I actually just wanted to feel how it would be like playing the sport, and that’s how I ended up loving and having immense passion for it. I was in Standard Seven and living in school, I was fascinated every time I watched the team play, and so I wanted to have firsthand experience,” Wanjawa said.

He revealed that he carved his own path because no one in his family plays hockey.

There was no looking back for Wanjawa, who now plays for reigning Premier League champions Western Jaguars and is also in the national junior team.

“From the start hockey just felt right and I wanted to learn more. My other brother Jeremiah Gitau played rugby at Maseno School, no one else in the family played hockey, and so I had to embrace my own path,” he added.

He learned the basics and honed his skills at Musingu under the tutelage of his current Western Jaguars coach, Michael Malungu, who always has good things to say about the budding star.

“Wanjawa is the true embodiment of discipline, hard work and unwavering commitment. From the first day he picked up a hockey stick, I’ve had the privilege of watching him grow not just as a player but as a person. His discipline is unmatched; he has consistently shown up for training, trains with purpose and listens with intent, always hungry to improve,” Malungu said.

He added that Wanjawa’s lifestyle off the pitch reflects an athlete who is serious about his craft with deep-rooted and genuine commitment to the sport.

“He doesn’t just play the sport, he lives it. He endevours to be a pillar of reliability and focus within the team,” said Malungu. He concluded that the fast-rising star is a work in progress, commending his parents for their massive support.

“He is at a very critical stage in his career and still needs nurturing to mature into tactical intelligence and refined skill in the next three to four years. I’m confident he will get there given the opportunity because he also has a strong parental support system,” he said.

Initially set to join record national and East Africa titleholders Friends School Kamusinga, the then Musingu principal (Benard Likuyani), was convinced that Wanjawa was a gem the school could not just let go and ensured that he stayed.

“I had a fantastic experience playing hockey at the school, but after primary I was to join Kamusinga. However, the then principal Benard Likuyani called me to his office, gave me an admission letter and told me to tell my mother that I was expected to join Musingu,” he added.

While at the school, Wanjawa found a perfect balance between academics and hockey, excelling in class and on the pitch. Even so, the Covid-19 pandemic would slow him as well as other Kenyan students down following a two-year break from the games. It was not until the 2023 games that his star shone bright when he led Musingu to the national title and a silver medal at the East Africa games.

It was a memorable year for Wanjawa, who was also voted the Most Valuable Player (MVP) at regional games held in Eldoret and Huye, Rwanda.

Wanjawa’s prowess as a utility player saw Musingu edge out hockey giants St Anthony’s Boys High School Kitale 1-0 in the final to lift the national trophy. In Huye, they lost by the same margin to Uganda’s Kakungulu Memorial in the final.

The 20-year-old second-year law student revealed that Rwanda was an eye-opening experience that made a huge impact on his growth in the sport.

“In Rwanda I was named the MVP, though I never expected it. That moment was a game changer for me because it made me feel that I was surely getting somewhere with the sport. It made an instant positive impact on my growth in the sport because being an MVP in the whole East Africa region is really a huge deal,” Wanjawa added.

From Rwanda, he focused on his studies, and his efforts bore fruit when he excelled in the 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations, making the cut to study law.

“I worked very hard because I wanted to pursue law, which required that I do well in my final exams. A career in law has been my dream since childhood because I’m inspired by my aunt Mary Wanjiru, who is a lawyer.”

The promising youngster attributes his success to his loving parents, retired teachers Mary and Vincent Wanjawa who have religiously supported him.

“My parents have played a major role in my growth. My mother attended my high school games and my father is my manager. My brothers have also walked this journey with me,” Wanjawa added.

He intimated that his uncle Dismas Wanjawa, a renowned retired footballer, teacher and current coach of St Martha’s Mwitoti also inspired him.

“My uncle Dismas was a great football player. He has been a great inspiration for me in the sport because he is also a familiar face in secondary school games,” he explained.

Nicknamed Korongo, a Swahili name for the crane due to his long legs, a grinning Wanjawa was full of gratitude towards coach Malungu and national junior team tactician Griffins Okombe, saying they shaped him.

“My coach (Malungu) has been very crucial in my growth and made me what I am today. My national team coach (Okombe) sharpened me and helped me improve, and they are both part of my support system in addition to my family. I’m also grateful to my teammates and friends because I came to know them through the sport, they keep me going,” Wanjawa said.  

He intimated that his transition from high school to league and international hockey was smooth due to the solid foundation he had at Musingu. He, however, added that just like every other player in the country, he faces challenges such as the poor sports infrastructure and an inconsistent league where clubs pay to play.

“It’s not just me, but the challenges cut across. All players are affected by the poor facilities, lack of proper equipment because hockey is an expensive sport and also inconsistency in the league,” said Wanjawa.

He revealed that he has goals that he is determined to achieve.

“I have goals that I’m working hard to achieve. I want to be a dependable player for my club as well as the national team. I want to consistently represent my country in international assignments while I strive to be a renowned advocate of the High Court,” Wanjawa said.

“I would say the highlights of my career so far were first winning my debut league, thereafter representing the country through my club, Western Jaguars, in Egypt at the ACC, and recently representing the country in the Junior World Cup Qualifiers, which were held in Namibia.” Wanjawa has already been linked with a move to Strathmore University Gladiators.