Aariana Barchha: Kenya’s young swimming jewel with eyes on the world stage

Determined, disciplined, and immensely talented, she is redefining what the future of competitive swimming in Kenya could look like.

This October, Aariana will represent Kenya at the tenth Africa Aquatics Zone 3 Championship from 16 to 19, 2025 at Nairobi’s iconic Kasarani Aquatic Stadium.

For her, this competition is a chance to cement her place among East Africa’s elite and prove that Kenyan swimmers can stand shoulder to shoulder with the continent’s best.

Based in the United Kingdom and born to Kenyan parents—both established opticians—Aariana grew up surrounded by international influences.

Despite living in the UK, her Kenyan roots run deep. She often spends time in Nairobi, visiting her grandparents in Parklands, Westlands, and locally trains with Coach Alex Kaindi, head of Genesis Swimming Club.

Kaindi vividly recalls their early sessions in 2023: “The way she moved in water, the focus she had—you could tell she wasn’t just another age-group swimmer. She had something special.”

Back in the UK, Aariana trains at the prestigious City of Southampton Swimming Club, established in 1963 and home to around 250 members.

Under Head Coach Matt Heathcock, Southampton has produced swimmers who’ve competed at England nationals, European Aquatics championships, Commonwealth Games and even the Olympics.

Immersed in this high-performance environment, Aariana thrives. Her weekly routine is grueling—up to 12 sessions mixing pool time, gym work, strength conditioning, and dryland drills.

Earlier this year, her dedication bore fruit when she shone at the Kenya Aquatics National Swimming Trials at Kasarani, climbing the podium multiple times and announcing herself as a serious contender.

Aariana’s forte lies in demanding races that test both body and mind. She specializes in the 100m butterfly, 200m individual medley, 100m backstroke, and 200m backstroke—events where endurance, precision, and mental toughness are critical.

“Medium-distance races test every part of you—your lungs, your strength, your technique, and even your patience,” she explains. “It’s where I feel I belong.”

At Zone 3, she will contest all these events, plus relays, offering her the chance to showcase her range. Yet, she sees this championship as just one milestone in a longer journey.

Her both clubs have already mapped Aariana onto performance pathway leading toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Before then, her targets include qualifying for the Commonwealth Games, Africa Aquatics Juniors, and the Africa Youth Games.

With less than three weeks until Zone 3, her preparations have been relentless. “I’m leaving nothing to chance,” she says. “Every day is about balance—study, training, recovery, repeat. I’m lucky to have my parents and coaches who understand what it takes.”

“Aariana is one of the most disciplined swimmers I’ve ever worked with. She listens, she applies, she learns. Discipline is what separates good athletes from great ones, and she has it.”

Kaindi also notes the club’s wider progress: Genesis Swimming Club has five swimmers (junior, senior and masters) on Kenya’s Zone 3 squad this year.

“That’s huge progress for us. But we’re not done. Next year, we want even more, and Aariana is leading that charge.”

Meanwhile, in Southampton, Coach Matt highlights the balance between tradition and innovation. Aariana, he says, is perfectly at home in a club that consistently produces swimmers ready for the international stage.

What makes Aariana’s story most inspiring is her choice of allegiance. Despite training in the UK, she has chosen to swim for Kenya.

“Every time I wear Kenya’s cap, I feel like I’m carrying my family, my grandparents, and the dreams of young swimmers back home who want to believe this sport has a future,” she says.

As the countdown to Kasarani continues, excitement is building. For Kenya, Zone 3 is also about making a statement that the nation’s swimmers belong on the big stage.

If Aariana Barchha continues on her current path, the dream of seeing a Kenyan swimmer reach the podium at the Commonwealth Games—or even the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics—may soon become reality.

From Southampton’s historic pools to Nairobi’s Kasarani Stadium, Aariana’s story is only just beginning. Yet already, she stands as a symbol of possibility.

The ripples she is creating today may well become the waves that carry Kenyan swimming into uncharted waters.