Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o has invested in the Nairobi City Thunder, which is Kenya’s only representative in the NBA-backed Basketball Africa League (BAL).
Lupita Nyong’o is a citizen of three countries – Kenya, Mexico and the USA. She is the daughter of Kenyan politician and academician Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o who is currently serving as the governor of Kisumu County and her mother is Dorothy Nyong’o who serves as the managing trustee of Africa Cancer Foundation.
Hollywood Meets African Hoops
Following the success of her Oscar-winning performance in the 12 Years a Slave (2013), Mexico-born actress Lupita Nyong’o rose to fame.
The actress, known for her performances in Black Panther (2018), Us (2019) and The Odyssey (2026) among others, posted on Instagram on Thursday saying,
“Taking a tunnel walk to celebrate that I’m an investor in the Nairobi City Thunder! The Nairobi City Thunder are the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League, and I’m pumped and proud to be behind them. TWENDE! ⚡️💥
Big weekend ahead with the start of the KNBL Finals! Wishing everyone on and off the court a great time!!”
The Rise of Nairobi City Thunder
It was created in 1998 – first as NSSF Stars, then International Christian Church before adopting its present name in 2010. It was in 2023 when the club was bought over by Twende Sports Limited, an enterprise that was co-founded by Colin Rasmussen, Sandra Kimokoti, Kush Diriye and Stephen Domingo that saw the birth of a successful era for the club.
In 2025, Nairobi City Thunder made history as the first team in Kenya to take part in the BAL during the league’s fifth season, organized by the NBA and FIBA – an achievement they would accomplish once again in the sixth season of the tournament.
What’s Next for the Thunder
Starting in 2027, the BAL will be shifting to the franchise system, where the slots for the team are going to be permanent along with a few opportunities for other teams.
The Nairobi City Thunder will be locking horns with the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the national finals for the third straight time after beating them in the previous two
