Renowned CNN journalist Larry Madowo led a crew to Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) to explore the rise of American football, a sport still in its infancy in Kenya.

Widely recognized as a powerhouse in the sports arena, JKUAT boasts a cabinet of trophies and impressive collection of local and international awards in a wide range of sports.

While many people in Kenya are more familiar with traditional sports like football and athletics, the emergence of American football in Kenya has quickly taken root at JKUAT. As per the day of reporting Thursday, October 29, 2024, JKUAT is currently ranked position one among Kenyan Universities and position three in the current standing in Kenyan league.

The CNN team spent time capturing the intensity and excitement on the JKUAT grounds giving viewers a first-hand look at the rising sport.

JKUAT’s legacy in sports goes beyond accolades and the university has fostered a culture of hard work and a drive for excellence. For one, JKUAT staff have made it to the local and international news headlines as winners or as officials in various sporting activities.  Moses Ondeng from the Sports Directorate is the Vice President of the Kenya Federation of American Football.

JKUAT Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi expressed her pride in the university’s embrace of a sport that’s still gaining traction in Kenya. She pledged to continue fostering an enabling environment where students can thrive in sports and academics.

“Our students have shown incredible dedication and resilience in mastering American football. At JKUAT, we are committed to provide vibrant platforms for students to pursue diverse sporting talents, contributing to their holistic personal growth and putting Kenya on the map,” said Prof. Ngumi.

JKUAT Director of Sports, Dr. Waweru Kamaku, highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting, “American football represents our drive to diversify and excel in different fields of sports. The enthusiasm we’re seeing comes from  JKUAT sporting culture and the students’ eagerness to learn. We are thrilled to be at the forefront of this journey in Kenya.”

Moses Waweru, a JKUAT student and former American football captain, is now the head coach and holds a Level One KFAF Coaching Certification. He praised his team for demonstrating excellent discipline in the new sport.

“It’s a big opportunity to be featured on CNN by Larry Madowo. It shows the work the boys have been putting in is paying of. The boys have been doing a great job which has seen the team almost double in number this semester as well as performing very well in the National League,” said Moses.

Moses, a final year of student of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering says, having CNN come to our soil and feature us in their story will grow this number even more and encourage many other sports to take up the program and grow the sport.