Marion Serenge is on the verge of making history as a member of the Junior Starlets, the first Kenyan team set to compete in a FIFA World Cup. This achievement comes just 14 months after she was named the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Currently a Form Four student at Archbishop Njenga Girls’ High School in Kakamega, Marion played a pivotal role in the Junior Starlets’ path to the World Cup. She scored one of the two goals in their 2-0 victory at home, contributing to a 5-0 aggregate win over Burundi in the final round of the FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers. “It was my first time scoring for the national team. I was so happy that my goal helped take Kenya to the World Cup,” she reflected on her accomplishment.
Marion’s football journey began just two years ago, encouraged by her father, Fred Serenge, who has been coaching football at Archbishop Njenga Girls for 24 years. “It’s a unique experience being both a parent and a coach,” Fred shared. “One thing I admire about Marion is her self-drive. Initially, she wasn’t among the top players, but through her dedication to training and with my guidance, she has rapidly improved.”
The past two years have been a whirlwind for Marion, who balances her football career with a passion for the French language, one of the subjects she is preparing for in her KCSE exams. She also developed a fondness for Spain during a visit with the Talanta Hela Under-19 team, where the Junior Starlets will train ahead of the FIFA World Cup. “Football has transformed my life,” Marion said. “Being scouted in Chapa Dimba and called up to the national team was a dream come true. Now, I’m headed to the World Cup, which is beyond my wildest dreams. My next goal is to play professionally in Europe.”
Marion’s talent has brought her not only recognition but also material rewards. In June 2024, she was named Kenyan Sports Personality of the Month by sports journalists and received an LG washing machine as a gift. She also upgraded her family’s television to a 55-inch screen, much to her father’s delight.
The Serenge family has a rich football heritage. Fred, a former Harambee Stars player, also played for AFC Leopards and Kenya Breweries FC. “I’ve developed many players and changed lives. I wanted to do the same for my daughter, Marion,” he explained.
Football runs deep in Marion’s lineage; her grandfather played for Kenya in The Gossage Cup, the predecessor to the CECAFA Senior Challenge Cup. Her uncles also represented Harambee Stars, and her older brother currently competes in Kenya’s top-flight league. With her groundbreaking achievements with the Junior Starlets, Marion now holds a special place in her family and dreams of playing professionally in Europe after completing her high school education.
