Priscilla Mburu using sports to encourage women towards breaking barriers

Looking back at her sports journey, all Priscilla Mburu can do is smile, for having overcome all manner of challenges in her way.

Mburu is an air rifle shooter, who on top of specializing her skill, is on a journey to encourage women to emulate her sporting life in treading areas less walked.

The 33-year-old was among the key-note speakers at the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOC-K) Gender Sports Conference, where she used her journey to inspire women in sports.

As the 'Breaking Barriers' theme would would have it, Mburu, born in Muthure, Kiambu County, never thought she would be taking a front-row seat in such a male-dominated sport, let alone dreaming of a spot at the Olympic Games.

Having taken a different path - outside the normal tertiary education after high school - Mburu joined the National Police Service after engaging in a rigorous recruitment program that admittedly had her quit five times.

“I honestly didn’t want to be a police officer,” Mburu, speaking alongside football queen Esse Akida and celebrated journalist Elyna Shiveka said. “I wanted to be something like an airhostess!”

Despite the two worlds between reality and fantasy being completely apart, Mburu, after eight years of service, participated in a shooting event that saw her perform to the level of joining Kenya’s national shooting team.

At first, she did not think of it as anything special, until she got involved in a national competition.

“The enthusiasm and the pride I saw from everyone made me realize that was what I ever wanted,” Mburu said of the sport, which by then presented her with “so many challenges.”

“First, I was so small,” the mother of one said. “But I am the kind of person who is driven by challenges.”

Swiftly from outmuscling a G3 gun, Mburu joined the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF), where a question from a male colleague drove her on, once more.

“Shooting is an expensive sport, and I remember spending close to Ksh. 179,000 to purchase my gear,” she said. “But on seeing that, one man asked me: ‘Do you think you have the ability to even be anywhere in the world?’

“That question made me realize that is what I would do,” Mburu said.

Years down the line, her name is nothing but on the world-map.

Despite missing out on the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Mburu is two-time Africa Shooting Championships silver-medalist, having come second in both the 50m rifle and 50m rifle three positions in Cairo two years ago.

In addition to her numerous national awards, she was in 2018 awarded the title of Order of the Grand Warrior O.G.W in 2018.

Still in her quest to make the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, Mburu is also an advocate for women empowerment, seeking to drive a stretch in possibilities often deemed impossible.

“Despite the challenges and discrimination, I am stronger,” Mburu mentioned. “All that came my way made me realize that we are made for much more.”

One message to women in sports?

“Always think of what you can achieve, do it, and be proud of the star you are. ”

NOCK's two-day campaign attracted sport and policy leaders advocating for Gender Equality in Sports under the theme: To Disrupt and Redefine the Gender Narrative.