Wushu gains popularity in Kenya as clubs spread nationwide

Once known in Kenya mainly through martial arts movies, wushu has grown into a popular sport, with clubs emerging across the country as more people embrace the Chinese martial art.

According to Ngaruiya Njonge, president of the Kenya Kungfu Wushu Federation, the federation now has 10 registered associations, each with at least six clubs. Wushu clubs have also been established in some of the Confucius Institutes in Kenya, as well as in many primary and secondary schools, reflecting the sport's growing popularity.

"Our aim is to have clubs across the country within the next one year. Many children and young people are interested in joining the sport," Njonge said, adding that wushu is not only about competition, but also about building character, fostering unity, and strengthening cultural ties between Kenya and China.

He said the sport has attracted more girls and young women than when he first started, with most participants between ages four and 17.

Njonge described the inaugural Kenya National Wushu Competition, held in the capital Nairobi on Thursday, as a historic milestone. The championship brought together contestants from clubs representing eight of the federation's 10 affiliated associations, with top performers receiving gold, silver, and bronze medals, as well as merit awards.

Njonge said wushu has made significant progress in Kenya, with the federation gaining official recognition as a national sports organization and becoming a full member of the International Wushu Federation.

He highlighted the sport's growth in Kenya in recent years and said a Kenyan team will travel to Dakar, Senegal in October for the Youth Olympic Games.

Elijah Mwangi, principal secretary in the State Department for Sports, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Creative Economy, and Sports, said wushu is enriching Kenya's sporting landscape by offering young people opportunities for excellence, international exposure, and careers in sports.

"The growth of wushu aligns with our national vision. We envision a sports ecosystem where every discipline — whether traditional, emerging, or indigenous — has an opportunity to thrive," Mwangi said in a speech read on his behalf by Joel Atuti, the ministry's director of sports at the Kenya National Wushu Competition on Thursday.

He described wushu as more than a martial art, saying its values of discipline, humility, courage, and respect align with Kenya's goal of nurturing responsible, resilient, and globally competitive youth.

Mwangi said the championship marked an important milestone for the sport and highlighted the strong friendship between China and Kenya through cultural exchange and sports cooperation.

Guo Haiyan, Chinese ambassador to Kenya, said wushu has become an important bridge for cultural exchange and closer ties between peoples, as it continues to gain popularity worldwide.

"Wushu has entered many primary and secondary schools across Kenya," she said. "Training centers have been established in Nairobi and other counties."

Guo said the inaugural national championship reflects the rapid development of wushu in Kenya and demonstrates the growing people-to-people exchanges between China and Kenya, serving as a vivid example of mutual learning between Chinese and African civilizations.