Oscar-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong'o has joined the ownership group of Nairobi City Thunder, becoming a new investor in the club that made history as the first Kenyan side to qualify for the Basketball Africa League.
Nyong'o announced the move on Thursday, September 24, posting a video on Instagram of herself taking a 'tunnel walk' to mark the occasion. "Taking a tunnel walk to celebrate that I'm an investor in the Nairobi City Thunder," she said, adding that she was 'pumped and proud' to back the team and closing her message with an enthusiastic "Twende!".
The investment lands as City Thunder prepare for the Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) Finals against Kenya Ports Authority (KPA). The best-of-five series tips off on Saturday, September 26, at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa, with Game Two on Sunday at the same venue before the action shifts to Nyayo Gymnasium in Nairobi on October 2.
City Thunder booked their place in the final by sweeping Stanbic Shield 3-0 in the semifinals and are defending KNBL champions. The club first reached the BAL after winning the East Division Elite 16 in 2024, then secured another continental qualification in 2026 by beating Johannesburg Giants 94-84 in the East Division Elite 16 final.
Nyong'o is joining an ownership group that already includes musician Bien-Aimé Baraza and his wife, Chiki Kuruka, who recently came on board as brand ambassadors and equity investors.
