CS Mvurya lauds Okutoyi’s grit after back-to-back ITF W35 Nairobi titles

Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has lauded Kenyan tennis ace Angella Okutoyi for her remarkable resilience after she clinched the ITF World Tour Nairobi W35 Week 2 singles title at the Parklands Sports Club.

In a message shared on his X account, Mvurya congratulated Okutoyi for her straight-sets victory over Italy’s Martina Colmegna, a tightly contested final that ended 6-3, 7-6 on Sunday, January 11, 2026.

“Congratulations, Angella Okutoyi, for clinching the ITF W35 Nairobi Week 2 Singles Title after a hard-fought win against Italy’s Martina Colmegna.

"Kenyans and the tennis fraternity celebrate your outstanding triumph, a powerful testament to your resilience, discipline, and unwavering determination," Mvurya wrote.

“We applaud your strides as you fly the Kenyan flag high on the international stage and inspire many to dream big. Keep pushing — your breakthrough is inevitable.”

Okutoyi’s latest triumph earned her 70 valuable WTA ranking points. Having entered the tournament ranked 558th in the world, the Kenyan moved up 82 places to 476th, further cementing her status as the country’s leading female player.

Speaking to local media, Okutoyi expressed delight at the achievement and the milestone it represents in her career.

“My ranking is going to shoot up, and that’s been my goal ever since: to break into the top 400. My inspiration has been to always believe in myself, knowing that I am capable of doing anything, and trusting in my game and being mentally strong. I am grateful to have completed a quartet of victories—two singles titles and two doubles titles. This is the first time I have achieved that, and I give glory to God.”

The victory marked Okutoyi’s second consecutive singles title in Nairobi, having won the Week 1 tournament in a three-set final against Colmegna, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

She also claimed the doubles crown that week alongside Poland’s Zuzanna Pawlikowska.

During Week 2, Okutoyi showcased impressive consistency, brushing aside Saumya Vig 6-0, 6-1 in the opening round before defeating Lamis Alhussein Abdel Aziz 6-3, 6-3.

She went on to beat Isabella Shinikova in the quarter-finals and edged Sandra Samir 6-1, 6-7(6), 6-1 in the semi-finals.

Currently studying at Auburn University in the United States, Okutoyi continues to balance her academic commitments with a steadily rising professional tennis career.