The award-winning Kenyan-Mexican actress has joined the ownership of Nairobi City Thunder, adding high-profile backing to a club that has emerged as a major force in Kenyan and African basketball.
Award-winning Kenyan-Mexican actress, author and producer Lupita Nyong’o has acquired an equity stake in Nairobi City Thunder, marking a significant development for one of Kenya’s leading basketball clubs.
Nyong’o announced her investment on September 24, 2026, through an Instagram video in which she introduced her involvement with the team. The actress expressed her enthusiasm about working with the club and supporting its ambitions, signalling her intention to become actively associated with the organisation.
The financial value of Nyong’o’s equity stake has not been disclosed publicly. However, her entry into the club’s ownership represents a high-profile addition to Nairobi City Thunder at a time when the team continues to build its sporting and commercial profile.
From NSSF Stars to Nairobi City Thunder
Nairobi City Thunder has a history stretching back more than two decades.
The team was founded in 1998 by Faustin Mgendi under the name NSSF Stars. In 2003, the club was rebranded as the International Christian Center (ICC), before becoming self-funded and adopting the Nairobi City Thunder name in 2010.
A major change came in 2023, when the franchise was acquired by Twende Sports Limited. The ownership group was founded by Colin Rasmussen, Sandra Kimokoti, Kush Diriye and Stephen Domingo.
Under the new ownership structure and head coach Brad Ibs, Thunder became the first club in Kenya to employ full-time professional players, representing an important step in the professionalisation of the local basketball environment.
Back-to-Back League Success
The club’s transformation has also been reflected in its performances on the court.
Nairobi City Thunder secured consecutive Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) Premier League championships, winning the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons without recording a defeat.
The team has also extended its ambitions beyond domestic competition. Thunder became the first Kenyan club to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL), further increasing its profile within African basketball.
For the 2026 BAL qualification campaign, the Kenyan side defeated South Africa’s Johannesburg Giants 94–84 in the East Division Elite 16 final to secure its place in the continental competition.
Growing Commercial Support
Alongside its sporting achievements, Nairobi City Thunder has continued to attract commercial partnerships.
The club secured a KES 10 million sponsorship from I&M Bank for the 2026 season, with the agreement including branding on the back of the team’s jerseys.
Thunder has also entered into a strategic partnership with Flutterwave’s Send App. According to club CEO Colin Rasmussen, such corporate relationships extend beyond direct team support by contributing to a wider sports ecosystem involving event personnel, media professionals and youth development initiatives.
Nyong’o’s investment therefore comes as the club continues to expand both on and off the court.
A New Chapter for Thunder
The actress’s arrival in the ownership structure coincides with Nairobi City Thunder’s participation in the KNBL Finals against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA).
Her investment adds another dimension to the club’s development as it combines competitive success, professional management, commercial partnerships and growing public visibility.
For Kenyan basketball, the development also comes amid increasing attention around the sport and its potential to attract investment beyond traditional sporting stakeholders.
With Thunder already establishing itself domestically and making history on the continental stage, Nyong’o’s involvement provides another high-profile connection between Kenya’s entertainment industry and professional sport.
As Nairobi City Thunder continues its campaign, the club’s latest ownership development adds to an increasingly ambitious story around the growth and professionalisation of basketball in Kenya.
