Chapa Dimba to World Stage: Marion Serenge’s Path to Greatness

Marion Serenge stands on the brink of history as a member of Kenya’s Junior Starlets, the first Kenyan team to ever play in a FIFA World Cup competition. Just fourteen months after being named the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Western Region Valuable Player, Serenge has quickly become a fan favorite and household name in the Kenyan football.

Currently a Form Four student at Archbishop Njenga Girl’s High School in Kakamega, she made headlines when she scored one of the two goals at a fully packed Ulinzi Complex Stadium, when Junior Starlets edged out Burundi 2- 0, cementing a commanding 5- nil aggregate to qualify for the U17 Women’s World Cup.

“It was my first time scoring for the national team. I am happy that my goal helped take Kenya to the World Cup,” she recalls.

The soft- spoken teenager’s football career started just two years ago after being pushed by her dad, Fred Serenge, who has been the football coach at her school for the past 24 years. “It’s a unique situation to be a parent, a coach and a mentor all at once,” Fred explains.

“Marion has shown tremendous self-drive. Initially, I can’t say she was a top player but through her commitment and my guidance, she has rapidly scaled great heights.” He says.

It has been a whirlwind 24 months for Marion who professes a love for the French language, which she is studying for in her KCSE exams. She has a liking for Spain, a country she visited as part of the Talanta Hela Under 19 side and where the Junior Starlets have been holding their final preparations for the World Cup.

“Football has changed my life,” She says, “When I was scouted in Chapa Dimba and called to the national team, it was a fulfilment of a dream. My other dream is to play professionally in Europe and I am on a journey to achieve my dreams. So far, football has helped me greatly. I am World Cup bound which is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Her talent has also brought her numerous gifts. In June 2024, Kenyan sports journalists feted Marion as the month’s Sports Personality and gifted her an LG washing machine. She also upgraded her family’s TV to a 55” through proceeds from football, much to her father’s delight.

The Serenge name carries a rich football legacy. Fred, a former Harambee Stars player and who had stints with AFC Leopards and Kenya Breweries FC during his days, is clear about his message, “I’ve developed people’s children. I have made big names. I have actually been able to change people’s lives and I felt I could also impact the same in my child, Marion.”