Makena Grannies ditch kitchen duties for the football pitch

Football is often sold as a young person's game: fast legs, quick reflexes, and the kind of stamina that disappears somewhere after your 30s. For many, turning 50 feels like the final whistle.

But on a dusty pitch in Uasin Gishu County, a group of women is proving that maybe that whistle was blown a little too early.

Meet the Makena Grannies Football Club, a team of mothers and grandmothers who have traded kitchen duties and quiet evenings for shin guards, laughter, and the occasional dramatic goal celebration.

These are not your typical footballers, chasing million-dollar contracts or performing for screaming fans. These women have already won life's toughest matches: raising families, building careers, and navigating decades of responsibility. Now, they're back on the field for something just as important: themselves.

And they're not here to play small.

Formed in early 2025, the team started innocently enough as a simple wellness initiative to get older women moving. A bit of stretching here, light jogging there… nothing too serious.

But somewhere between the warm-ups and the laughter, something changed.

The jogging turned into drills. The drills turned into tactics. And before anyone could say "offside," they had a full-fledged football team.

Today, Makena Grannies FC boasts 33 active players all aged 50 and above, including a proud 71-year-old whose stamina, skill, and spirit rival anyone on the pitch.

Here, age isn't a weakness, it's the team uniform.

Coach Brian Koech is clear about one thing: "To play competitively, you must be over 50," he says. "We're not lowering the bar—we're redefining it."

And they have redefined it. For many of these women, football has become more than a game—it's therapy, a gym, and a source of joy rolled into one. Beyond the physical benefits, it has sparked confidence, built lifelong friendships, and challenged societal expectations about ageing and women in sports. Each training session is a statement: age is not a limit, it's an advantage, bringing experience, strategy, and resilience to every pass, tackle, and goal.

"The pitch has become a stage where they celebrate strength, reclaim agency over their bodies, and inspire younger generations to see that passion—and performance—has no expiration date,” he adds.

Roseline Komen puts it simply.

"I started at 80 kilos, but now I'm at 69 kilos. The knee pain is completely gone, and I feel lighter and more energetic every day."

Vice-captain Cecilia Owino shares a similar story.

"My job had me seated most of the time, and over the years my joints stiffened. Now? My joints have loosened, my posture is better, and I feel strong again. I have more energy to do everything from training to taking care of my family."

For many of the women, football has done more than improve their bodies; it has transformed their confidence and outlook on life. Roseline notes, "I move differently now; I feel proud of what my body can do. Football isn't just exercise, it's therapy. It's joy. It's freedom."

"Age doesn't mean slowing down. With every pass, every goal, and every match, we're proving that life and football don't stop at 50," Owino says.

And just in case you think this is all fun and games, think again. These grannies don't just play; they compete, they strategize, and they win.

At the Talec Cup, they didn't just show up; they stole the show, finishing third and earning respect from fans and opponents alike.

They may not sprint like teenagers, but what they bring to the pitch is far more formidable: sharp experience, teamwork, and no patience for mistakes or confusion.

Of course, they're also wise enough to know their limits—one tournament a month, with proper rest in between. Even legends need recovery time.

Inspired by trailblazers like Mitei Grannies FC, who've taken granny football global, Makena Grannies are dreaming bigger.

"Seeing them pushed us," says Owino. "We know we can go further."

Off the pitch, the transformation has been just as dramatic.

"At first, people laughed at us," one player admits. "Now our husbands are the ones reminding us when it's time to hit the pitch!"

And the benefits? They go far beyond the pitch.

"Household chores used to be difficult," Roseline Komen says with a smile. "Now my body is flexible; I'm not growing older—I'm getting younger!"

Challenges remain. Funding is tight, and registration costs are high.

"Sometimes we support ourselves," says Coach Koech. "But our goal is to fully register with FKF and compete nationwide."

Still, if there's one thing this team has proven, it's this: They may not race the fastest. They may not break speed records. But they will outlast expectations and redefine what it means to age with strength, joy, and unstoppable spirit.