Violet Awindi Baraza

Violet Awindi Baraza, is considered by many as the greatest female volleyballer Kenya has ever produced and no doubt one of the best volleyballers to come out of the continent of Africa. She was born in Sikhendu village, Bungoma district on June 21 1975. She attended Lugulu girls secondary school. Lugulu is a school that is famous for producing volleyball players. It was here that her volleyball career took shape.

Nicknamed “Vivi” and known as “Vio” to team-mates, she started her club volleyball with KCB after high school before she moved abroad to Hitachi Sawa (Japan) in a program initiated by former national coach Sadatoshi Sugawara. She was a pillar of the Kenya volleyball team for several years, helping Kenya win the Africa volleyball championships six times. She also helped Kenya qualify for the Olympics twice (2000 and 2004) and played in both Olympics, leading Kenya in scoring and earning recognition from foreign commentators.