Oscar-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o has become an investor in Nairobi City Thunder, one of Kenya’s leading basketball clubs and the first Kenyan team to play at the NBA-backed Basketball Africa League (BAL). Nyong’o announced the move on Thursday, September 24, sharing a video of herself taking a tunnel walk dressed in Thunder merchandise.
"Taking a tunnel walk to celebrate that I'm an investor in the Nairobi City Thunder!" she said. She also highlighted the club’s history: "The Nairobi City Thunder are the first Kenyan team to qualify for the Basketball Africa League, and I'm pumped and proud to be behind them. TWENDE!"
The investment comes as Thunder prepare to face Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) in the 2026 Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) Finals, a best-of-five series starting Saturday, September 26, at Makande Gymnasium in Mombasa. Thunder booked their place by sweeping Stanbic Shields 3-0 in the semi-finals, while KPA did the same to Equity Dumas. It is the third consecutive KNBL Finals meeting between the sides.
Thunder made their BAL debut in 2025 and secured another qualification for the 2026 competition after winning the East Division Elite 16 in Nairobi. Musicians Bien-Aimé Baraza and Chiki Kuruka have also joined the club as brand ambassadors, but Nyong’o’s role goes further, with financial terms undisclosed.
