She moves fast, very threatening to the defenders and relentless in her pressing – meet Marion Serenge, Kenya’s Rising Starlet who plays as a winger. A starlet, whose game is built on speed.
Marion was born on November 3, 2007, into a family deeply rooted in sport, where football and competition was part of everyday life.
Her father, Fred Serenge, is a former Harambee Stars midfielder who played for clubs such as AFC Leopards and Kenya Breweries.
Her grandfather, Paul Serenge, represented Kenya in the historic Gossage Cup ( which is now known as CECAFA) before independence, placing the Serenge name in the history of Kenyan football long before Marion was born.
The sporting legacy in the family runs deep. Several relatives have built careers across Kenyan football and volleyball: Maurice Serenge (Mumias Sugar), Joe Serenge (Kisumu Breweries), Patrick Serenge (Kakamega Municipal and KEFINCO), Festus Serenge (Rivatex and Kenya Breweries), Anthony Serenge (Motcom), and Zedrick Serenge (Nakuru All Stars).
On the women’s side, Jackline Serenge played for the Kenya Starlets and the Western Combined Team, while Judy Serenge represented Kenya Pipeline and the national team in volleyball.
Growing up in this environment meant sport was never far away. Yet Marion only began playing football seriously about two years before her national team breakthrough, encouraged by her father, who has coached school teams for decades.
Her talent first gained national attention through the Safaricom Chapa Dimba youth tournament, one of Kenya’s most important grassroots competitions.
Playing for Lugari Progressive, she was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the Western Region, a recognition that quickly placed her on the Kenyan football map.
Her performances caught the attention of national youth team selectors, earning her a call-up to Kenya’s U-17 women’s national team – the Junior Starlets.
She quickly became a key player for the Junior Starlets during the qualifiers for the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
One of her most memorable moments came when she scored in Kenya’s 2–0 victory over Burundi, sealing a 5–0 aggregate win.
Serenge contributed to securing Kenya’s first-ever qualification for a FIFA World Cup in football – for both men’s and women’s.
For Serenge, the moment was deeply emotional.
“It was my first time scoring for the national team. I was so happy that my goal helped take Kenya to the World Cup.”
Her performances during the qualification campaign also earned national recognition.
In June 2024, Kenyan sports journalists named her Sports Personality of the Month, honouring her role in Kenya’s historic World Cup qualification.
Following qualification, Serenge travelled with the Junior Starlets to the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic, where Kenya competed in Group C.
She started all the group-stage matches and finished the tournament ranked among the four fastest players; her speed was recorded at 30.42 km/h, further highlighting her explosive pace and attacking threat.
After the World Cup, Serenge stepped away from the spotlight to focus on completing her secondary school examinations in Kakamega, occasionally featuring in local tournaments while quietly continuing her development.
Before joining, St.Noa Girls Football Club she featured for FKF Regional league side Milima Queens in Kenya.
Serenge recently signed for St. Noa Girls Football Club in the Uganda Women’s Premier League – marking her first professional move in a top flight league.
She has already made her mark, scoring her first goal for the club in a 3–2 victory over Makerere University WFC at Nsibirwa ground.
From a family whose sporting roots stretch back to the pre-independence Gossage Cup era, Marion Serenge now carries the next generation of that legacy.
With her pace, pressing game, and footballing lineage behind her, Serenge is set to step into the world of football’s popular stars – her future is truly promising.
The Serenge name carries history, but each generation must write its own chapter – and Marion Serenge’s actions are a testament of a newly opened chapter whose story is still in progress.
St Noa Girls Football Club patron Habert Walusimbi described her signing as a perfect reflection of the club’s philosophy.
“Marion embodies everything that St Noa Girls Football Club stands for; fearlessness, dedication, and an unshakable belief in greatness. Her arrival is a powerful statement of intent. We are not just participating; we are competing to dominate.”
St Noa Girls recently competed in the Uganda Secondary Schools Sports Association and won a second successive title and a third overall after seven editions – speaking of dominance.
During the Elite games girls football tournament, Marion Serenge found the back of the net in the semis propelling her team into the finals – where they faced Kawempe Muslim SS and won on penalties.
In a book, whose story is still unfolding and the chapters are yet to be written: the start is already captivating and Harambee Starlets have a prospect.
Marion Serenge’s football journey is one to be told, read and shared not just among her peers but also beyond East African Borders – sending a message to all African football stakeholders: Africa has always had talent, its nurturing and managing it that matters. We can become Europe, America or United Kingdom right here in Africa – it begins with believing in our own, trusting the process and building Elite from grassroot level.
