Lupita Nyong’o Invests in Nairobi City Thunder, a Kenyan Basketball Team
Lupita Nyong’o, an award-winning Kenyan-Mexican actress, author, and producer, has officially acquired an equity stake in Nairobi City Thunder, marking a landmark financial partnership in East African sports.
Nyong’o announced the move on September 24, 2026, in an Instagram video featuring a “tunnel walk.” She said she was ready to work with the club and support the team, describing herself as “pumped and proud” and adding an enthusiastic “TWENDE!”
Though the financial details and value of her stake have not been publicly disclosed, her involvement represents a high-profile endorsement of Kenyan sports.
Founded in 1998 by Faustin Mgendi as the NSSF Stars, the team rebranded as the International Christian Center (ICC) in 2003 before becoming self-funded and adopting the name Nairobi City Thunder in 2010. The franchise’s trajectory accelerated in 2023, when it was acquired by Twende Sports Limited, founded by Colin Rasmussen, Sandra Kimokoti, Kush Diriye and Stephen Domingo. Under the new ownership group and head coach Brad Ibs, Thunder became the first club in Kenya to employ full-time professional players.
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The investment yielded immediate results on the court. Nairobi City Thunder won back-to-back Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) Premier League titles, finishing undefeated in both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons. On the continental stage, Thunder made history as the first Kenyan club to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL). The team secured its 2026 BAL qualification by defeating South Africa’s Johannesburg Giants 94–84 in the East Division Elite 16 final.
Nairobi City Thunder has also expanded its commercial backing. The franchise secured a KES 10 million sponsorship from I&M Bank for the 2026 season, including back-of-jersey placement, alongside a strategic partnership with Flutterwave’s Send App. Club CEO Colin Rasmussen said these corporate partnerships help sustain a broader sports ecosystem by funding event staff, media professionals, and youth development programs.
Nyong’o’s entry comes as the club competes in the KNBL Finals against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA), signaling a new era in which Kenyan sports is attracting both domestic commercial support and global cultural capital.
