Africa’s fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, has paid glowing tribute to his wife, Laventa Amutavi, crediting her as the driving force behind his remarkable journey from obscurity to global stardom.
Omanyala revealed that during his toughest years, when his athletic career barely brought in enough money to survive, Laventa stood firmly by his side—providing financial support, encouragement, and unwavering belief in his dreams.
The couple’s love story began in 2016 at a humble kibandaski. Omanyala was instantly smitten, but it took him seven months to win her heart. At the time, Laventa was a social work student at Moi University, while Omanyala was studying at the University of Nairobi and struggling to make ends meet as a budding sprinter.
With prize winnings as low as Sh5,000 from local races, the couple often struggled to cover their family expenses. But Laventa never wavered. She became Omanyala’s fiercest supporter, ensuring he stayed focused on athletics despite the hardships.
“When I was down, she lifted me up. She supported me financially and emotionally,” Omanyala shared in an interview with The Standard.
Even as fame and success later brought him admirers and attention from women, Omanyala remained steadfast in his devotion to his wife. “I get many messages from women, but I disregard them. I am happily married and committed to my wife. My only interest lies with her,” he affirmed.
The couple tied the knot in 2018 and are blessed with a child. Today, as Omanyala continues to dominate the track and fly Kenya’s flag high, he insists his greatest victory remains the love and loyalty of the woman who believed in him long before the world did.
