Fencing Initiative Offers Hope in Nairobi’s Mathare Slum
In the heart of Nairobi’s sprawling Mathare slum, a fencing initiative led by former gang member Mburu Wanyoike is transforming the lives of teenagers, offering hope in a community plagued by crime and lack of opportunities.
Wanyoike, 27, who once walked a dangerous path, now leads Tsavora Fencing Mtaani, where scores of young people gather each weekend to learn the art of fencing.
“I was in crime, I was a gangster,” Wanyoike recalls. “But fencing gave me a second chance.”
Spotted by a coach while working out, Wanyoike quickly became passionate about the sport and later earned a scholarship to South Africa. He returned to Mathare in 2021 with a mission to provide opportunities for young people.
“The only thing they can do is… crime, doing drugs, for the ladies do prostitution,” Wanyoike says, highlighting the challenges faced by many youths in Mathare.
Among those benefiting from the initiative is 17-year-old Dixon Mumia, who admits to a troubled past. “My coach came to my house, and he told my father to let me do this because when I am with this thing I change my life,” Mumia shares.
Despite initial skepticism from friends, Mumia found solace in fencing: “I decided that this was the place I was supposed to be. I found myself changing.”
However, funding remains a challenge. With an average daily income of around $2 in Mathare, the $2,500 annual cost for training and competing is unaffordable for many. Yet, youths like Mumia remain determined to succeed.
One of the group’s stars is 16-year-old Eline Marendes, whose past as a dancer influences her fencing style. “At first I thought it was a very dangerous sport… but two years of training have changed my mind,” she says optimistically.
Despite recent floods destroying their usual training grounds, the group continues their practice, attracting curious onlookers and inspiring younger children in the community.
“They are like children, but they are like my brothers,” Marendes says, reflecting on the bond formed within the fencing group.
Tsavora Fencing Mtaani stands as a beacon of hope, showing how sports can empower youths and pave the way for a brighter future in even the most challenging environments.
