In Kenyan football, the Okumu name carries weight. With Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu making waves in professional football, his younger sister, Judith Okumu, is also keen on following in his footsteps and preserve the family’s deep-rooted legacy. At just 18 years old, Judith Okumu is already carving out her own path in the football world. She was part of the St Joseph Sec squad that made it to the Central Region finals of the Safaricom Chapa Dimba Tournament. Judith hails from a footballing family, with her father, former Chemelil Sugar FC Team Manager Hilary Ouma deeply involved in the sport. Her two brothers, Joseph and Annan are defenders but Judith is a goalkeeper. But how did this happen? “She was forced by circumstance to step into the role of goalkeeper during a school game while studying at Lwak Girls. Her natural talent between the posts became evident. She did so well, and that is how she became a goalkeeper.” Football runs in the family. Judith Okumu, young sister to France-based Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu, in action at the Chapa Dimba Central Region finals. She saved 2 penalties in the semis, 1 awarded against her team and 1 in the post match shootout.#FootballKe pic.twitter.com/84pxq0xaCC— Murimi Njiru (@muriminjirujnr) March 24, 2024 St Joseph Sec lost to Laikipia’s Barcelona Ladies who consequently qualified for the National finals set for April in Kisumu but for Judith, all is not lost as the tournament was just a starting point to expose her talent to the world. Barcelona Ladies and Lysa to represent central in Safaricom Chapa Dimba national finals”The Safaricom Chapa Dimba Tournament was also a good avenue for me to gauge my progress and also market myself to potential suitors,” Judith said. “I come from a footballing family. My father has been involved in football in his entire life and therefore it was easy for my siblings and I to follow that path. My bigger brother Joseph Okumu has achieved a lot in the game, and I am hoping to replicate that,” she added. ##NAJAVA_MECA_7988134##For Judith, the journey ahead holds promise and ambition. “For now there are two goalkeepers that I have been following keenly – Valentine Khwaka who plays for Kenya Police Bullets and Judith Osimbo who is in the books of Ulinzi Stars. They are very good goalkeepers, and my hope is to get to their level, break into the National team and hopefully play outside the country professionally,” she said. I met Judith Okumu, sister of Harambee Stars’ Joseph Okumu!!!#SafaricomChapaDimba#ChezaKamaWewe pic.twitter.com/SxdBEMuth2— Bree Mo’ngina! (@beebree0) March 24, 2024 Her father shares in her dreams, expressing pride in his children’s achievements in football. With Annan Okumu (Kenya U15) and Joseph Okumu (Harambee Stars) already donning the national team jersey, Hilary Okumu believes it’s only a matter of time before Judith follows suit. “It really gives me pleasure to see my kids succeed in football as it just rubber stamps the fact that we are sporting family. Annan and Joseph have already worn the national team jersey and for Judith I believe it is just a matter of time, she just needs to keep working hard,” he says.
