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Deep in the heart of Nairobi, the average temperature well over 20°C outside; perhaps the most unlikely sport has found a home: ice hockey. The Kenya Ice Lions, an all- equator team and still the only ice hockey team in this East African country, have made what at one time was a cold-climate sporting event an equatorial passion.
The Ice Lions were founded in 2016 and are based at the Solar Ice Rink, part of Nairobi’s Panari Hotel—the only ice rink in East and Central Africa. For most players, taking to the ice for the first time was surreal. Captain Benjamin Mburu remembers, “I never imagined I could play ice hockey in Kenya. Stepping on the ice was so slippery—I couldn’t control the skates. But it was exciting.”
Along the way, the team has notched some important milestones. In September 2024, Kenya became the 84 th nation to join the International Ice Hockey Federation, the fifth African nation to do so after Algeria, Morocco, South Africa, and Tunisia. Membership opens doors to funding, coaching expertise, and international competitions, propelling the Ice Lions onto the global stage.
But challenges remain: Ice time is rare and costly-an hour approaches $100 at the Panari Hotel-so the team trains only once a week; the rink is a quarter the size of an Olympic rink, which limits them to four-on-four matches rather than the normal six-a- side game. Specialized equipment is difficult to find; it may take several months to replace an important piece of gear.
The Ice Lions have nonetheless managed to gain some international attention. A life- changing trip to Canada, where the players met NHL stars and received donations of equipment and money for the team, more than tripled the number of players and vastly improved their level. Their recent victory in an exhibition tournament on a full-size rink in South Africa stands as testimony to their resolve and promise.
The Ice Lions are committed to developing the sport domestically, looking to the future. Every Saturday, they hold coaching sessions for children in the hope of inspiring the next generation of players. Plans are underway for a women’s team, reflecting their commitment to inclusivity and growth. Now that IIHF membership has been secured, the Ice Lions are more motivated than ever to compete on the international stage, with aspirations reaching as high as the Winter Olympics. As winger Mike Carlos fervently puts it, “The Kenyan flag must fly on ice.”
