Oscar-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o has officially become an investor in Nairobi City Thunder, adding her name to the ownership group of one of Kenya’s most prominent basketball clubs.
Nyong’o announced the investment on September 24, 2026, sharing a video on Instagram in which she celebrated her new connection with the team. She also highlighted the historic achievement of Nairobi City Thunder becoming the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL).
The actress expressed pride in supporting the club as it prepares for another important weekend, with the team set to compete in the Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) Finals.
Lupita Nyong’o Proud to Support Nairobi City Thunder
In her announcement, Nyong’o celebrated her investment and the team’s progress on the continental basketball stage.
She described herself as proud to be behind Nairobi City Thunder and expressed excitement about becoming part of the club’s journey.
Her investment comes at an important moment for the franchise as it continues to build its profile both within Kenya and across Africa.
Nyong’o’s involvement also adds an internationally recognised Kenyan personality to the club’s growing ownership group.
The actress has maintained strong connections to Kenya throughout her international film career, and her decision to invest in a local basketball team places her support directly into the country’s sporting industry.
Nairobi City Thunder Made Basketball History
Nairobi City Thunder has established itself as an important name in Kenyan basketball after making history by becoming the first Kenyan club to qualify for the Basketball Africa League.
The club says it made history in 2024 and repeated the achievement in 2025 by qualifying for the continental competition.
Thunder’s BAL journey has helped raise the profile of Kenyan basketball and provided local players with an opportunity to compete on a bigger African stage.
The club also says it remained undefeated across two consecutive Kenyan Basketball League seasons in 2023–24 and 2024–25.
Its recent performances have therefore attracted increasing attention from fans, sponsors and investors.
Lupita Nyong’o Joins Growing Investor Group
Nyong’o is not the only well-known Kenyan personality to become involved with Nairobi City Thunder.
Musician Bien-Aimé Baraza and his wife Chiki Kuruka have also joined the club’s ownership group as investors, according to reports. Bien has previously spoken about his lifelong love for basketball and his connection to Kenya.
The growing involvement of entertainment personalities reflects the increasing connection between sports, culture and entertainment in Kenya.
For Nairobi City Thunder, the additional visibility could help the club reach audiences beyond traditional basketball followers.
The team has also attracted commercial backing. In June 2026, I&M Bank announced a KSh10 million investment and partnership with the club to support its participation in competitions including the BAL.
Nairobi City Thunder Prepare for KNBL Finals
Nyong’o’s investment comes just as Nairobi City Thunder prepare for the 2026 KNBL Finals.
The defending champions are scheduled to face Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in a best-of-five championship series.
The first two games are scheduled for September 26 and 27 at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa, with both games set for 6pm. The series will later move to Nairobi for Game 3.
Nyong’o also sent her best wishes to everyone involved in the KNBL Finals, showing her support for the competition beyond her new investment in Thunder.
The Finals provide another opportunity for the club to showcase its domestic strength while preparing for its wider ambitions in African basketball.
A New Chapter for Kenyan Basketball
Nyong’o’s investment arrives at a time when basketball in Kenya is attracting greater attention and investment.
Nairobi City Thunder’s BAL qualification has already demonstrated that Kenyan clubs can compete on the continental stage. The team’s continued domestic success has also helped create a stronger platform for players, coaches and other basketball stakeholders.
The involvement of prominent figures from Kenya’s entertainment industry could further increase public interest in the sport.
For Nyong’o, the investment represents a move beyond her established career in film and into Kenyan sports ownership.
For Nairobi City Thunder, it adds another high-profile supporter to a club that has been building its identity around basketball development and a broader impact on Kenyan and African sport.
As the KNBL Finals begin, attention will now turn to Thunder’s performance on the court, while the club continues preparing for its next chapter in the Basketball Africa League.
