Oscar Winner Lupita Nyong'o Backs Kenyan Basketball Team Nairobi City Thunder

Hollywood Star Backs Nairobi Basketball

Oscar winning actress Lupita Nyong'o has invested in the Nairobi City Thunder. The team is the first Kenyan club to play in the Basketball Africa League, which is backed by the NBA.

Nyong'o shared the news on Instagram on Thursday. She wrote, "Taking a tunnel walk to celebrate that I'm an investor in the Nairobi City Thunder!" She added that she was proud to back the team as they prepare for the national finals.

The actress is a citizen of Kenya, Mexico, and the United States. She is famous for her roles in films like 12 Years a Slave, Black Panther, Us, and The Odyssey. Her parents are Peter Anyang' Nyong'o, the governor of Kisumu County, and Dorothy Nyong'o, a public relations consultant.

Rise of the Thunder

The club has a long history in Kenyan basketball. It was founded in 1998 under the name NSSF Stars. It later became the International Christian Church before changing its name to the Nairobi City Thunder in 2010.

A major turning point came in 2023. Twende Sports Limited bought the club. The company was founded by Colin Rasmussen, Sandra Kimokoti, Kush Diriye, and Stephen Domingo. This acquisition started a highly successful era for the team.

By 2025, the Thunder made history by becoming the first Kenyan team to play in the Basketball Africa League. They repeated this achievement by playing in the tournament again this year.

Finals and Future League Changes

The team is currently preparing for the national finals. They will face the Kenya Ports Authority for the third year in a row. Nairobi City Thunder won the previous two matchups easily.

The investment comes at an important time for the Basketball Africa League. Starting in 2027, the league will switch to a franchise model. This change will offer permanent slots in the league, while leaving only a few spots open for teams that have to qualify.