Kenya’s Rising Starlets leave lasting legacy as World Cup generation powers Harambee Starlets’ WAFCON return

When Kenya’s Rising Starlets secured qualification to the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Dominican Republic 2024, it was hailed as a watershed moment for women’s football in the East African nation.

For the first time in history, a Kenyan football team, male or female, had earned a place at a FIFA World Cup. Beyond the celebrations and headlines, however, the achievement represented something far greater; the beginning of a pathway that would transform the country’s women’s game.

Two years later, the impact of that historic qualification is already evident.

Several members of that pioneering World Cup squad have seamlessly transitioned into the senior Harambee Starlets setup, playing a key role in helping Kenya qualify for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) Morocco 2026, the nation’s second appearance at the continental showpiece and first in a decade.

Leading the charge is Valerie Nekesa, who etched her name into Kenyan football history by scoring the country’s first-ever FIFA World Cup goal. Alongside her, former captain Elizabeth Ochaka, defender Lorine Ilavonga, and forwards Lorna Faith, Marion Serenge and Pearl Olesi have all made the leap to the senior ranks.

Today, Ochaka has established herself as a regular starter in Beldine Odemba’s side, while Nekesa, Faith and Serenge continue to inject youthful energy and attacking flair into the Harambee Starlets.

For Mildred Cheche, the architect behind Kenya’s historic U-17 World Cup qualification, watching her players flourish at the highest level has been immensely rewarding.

“I am really proud to see most of my girls who went to the World Cup now featuring in the senior team. It shows the worth of the work we are doing at the grassroots and the pathway we have for progression,” Cheche told CAFOnline.

More than a personal achievement, Cheche views the transition as validation of a development structure that is beginning to bear fruit.

A crucial factor behind Kenya’s success has been the close collaboration between the national youth teams and the senior side.

Cheche serves as assistant coach of the U-20 team under Jackline Juma, who also doubles up as assistant coach to senior national team head coach Beldine Odemba. The interconnected structure has created a seamless pathway for player monitoring, development and progression.

“We have a good relationship between the three teams and this makes sure we have smooth transition between these age categories,” Cheche explains.

“This is the reason we have many players transitioning. It is a key foundation because when we have consistent players moving up, it means we have healthy competition and more players being produced.”

For Odemba, the emergence of this pathway marks a significant shift in Kenyan football.

For years, talented youth players often struggled to bridge the gap between age-group football and the senior national team. Today, that barrier is steadily disappearing.

“It is really positive to see this transition. We have seen that it is already working because the girls have come in and made a huge impact on the team,” Odemba says.

“They are not just here to add numbers but are actually competing and raising their hands to be starters. The World Cup in the Dominican Republic has really been huge for Kenyan women’s football and these are the fruits. Having up to five players in the senior team from that squad is no mean feat.”

Among those enjoying the benefits of the system is striker Nekesa, whose goal helped Kenya secure a memorable 2-1 victory over Mexico at the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Having progressed through the U-17 and U-20 levels before breaking into the senior team, Nekesa believes the World Cup experience accelerated her development.

“It is a delight definitely to progress to the senior team. I have played for the Under-17, Under-20 and now senior team and it shows that there’s something positive I am doing,” she says.

“The World Cup was crucial for us because it gave us a platform to show our real abilities. It is not just the end for us now that we are in the senior team. We have to work hard, compete and be consistent.”

Serenge echoes similar sentiments.

Now plying her trade in the Tanzanian Women’s Premier League, the forward believes the World Cup opened doors that continue to shape her career.

“It is a real great honour to have played the World Cup, which I believe opened the doors for us to come to the senior team,” Serenge says.

“The World Cup gave us an opportunity and we grabbed it. I am delighted that I have been able to work my way up to the senior team, still at a young age.”

As Harambee Starlets prepare for WAFCON Morocco 2026, qualification alone is no longer the ultimate goal.

For many of the players who experienced the thrill of competing on the global stage in the Dominican Republic, another dream has now emerged: helping Kenya qualify for a FIFA Women’s World Cup.

“We are going to compete and try to earn another historic result. We know how it feels to play in a World Cup and our dream is to qualify, this time with the senior team,” the soft spoken Serenge adds.

Nekesa shares the same ambition.

“It is exciting of course to play at the WAFCON and what makes it more exciting is the World Cup dream. It will not be easy, but we will fight for it. We will fight to try and make history for a second time,” Nekesa points out.

For Cheche, the possibility of another World Cup breakthrough is far from unrealistic.

After all, this generation has already shown what is possible when talent meets opportunity.

“It is possible. If we did it with the Under-17s, then the seniors can also do it. I have so much faith in the girls and I believe they can make it,” the coach says.

As Kenya prepares to embark on another continental adventure in Morocco, the influence of that historic 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification remains impossible to ignore.

It serves as a powerful reminder that investment in youth development is not merely about preparing for tomorrow, but can transform the present.

For Kenya, the rewards arrived sooner than expected.

The Rising Starlets who once carried the hopes of a nation onto the world stage are now helping drive the Harambee Starlets toward new horizons. And as WAFCON Morocco 2026 approaches, this golden generation appears ready to write yet another remarkable chapter in the story of Kenyan women’s football.