Kenyan football stars McDonald Mariga and Victor Wanyama are mourning the death of their mother, Mildred Wanyama, who passed away early Saturday morning.

In a statement shared on Saturday, Mariga confirmed the loss and said funeral arrangements were underway. “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, who left us peacefully today morning,” he said.

“We are currently making arrangements and will share more details soon! Thank you.”

Mildred was married to Noah Wanyama, a former AFC Leopards footballer, and together they raised five children: Mariga, Victor, Thomas and Sylvester Wanyama—all footballers—and their only daughter Mercy, a professional basketball player in Spain.

A respected sportswoman in her own right, Mildred was once a netball player and met her husband in the 1970s while they were both working at Kenya Railways and actively involved in sports.

Her influence and encouragement were key in shaping the careers of her children, especially Mariga and Victor, who went on to achieve international football success.

At a crucial point in Mariga’s youth, she stopped him from dropping out of school to join the Kenya Defence Forces, urging him to complete his secondary education.

That decision later enabled him to join European football, where he played for top clubs including Inter Milan.

With Victor, Mildred played a vital role in nurturing the talent of a child who would become the first Kenyan to play in the English Premier League.

He later captained Harambee Stars at the 2019 African Cup of Nations, marking Kenya’s return to the tournament after more than a decade.

Beyond her role as a mother, Mildred was a pioneer in sports leadership.

She served as the Kenya Netball Federation President from 2014 to 2018 and remained a strong presence in both community and family events.

She was widely known for her pride in her children’s achievements and was a constant presence at their major life moments, always carrying herself with strength and grace.