Anthony Wahome's lifelong ambition has been to see shooting soar as one of Kenya's top sports and a source of medals at major competitions.
It is a dream that began when he was still working at the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and is optimistic will come to fruition one day.
The former chair of the National Gun Owners Association (NGAO) has been joined in the pursuit of this dream by his 17-year old son, Jonathan Wahome, who is gaining a reputation as one of the country's most talented shooters.
The film and TV production student at the Africa Digital Media Institute developed an interest in shooting five years ago thanks to his dad.
"I started shooting when I was 12. I remember the first time I went to a shooting range was at Stony Athi and the excitement I felt that day just stuck with me and I developed an interest. My dad has been in the security sector and so shooting has been a part of my life. He was a big motivation in me picking up the sport," Jonathan says.
Much like his old man, it has been a gradual journey into shooting for Jonathan, who only last year graduated to more sophisticated artillery.
"I started with the .22 caliber, which for me was to first get to grips with the basics of shooting before I graduated last year. So far I have won two trophies in the junior categories," he explains.
Anthony's journey
Anthony has represented the country in shooting competitions in Africa and beyond.
His resume as a shooter includes appearances at the International Defensive Pistol Association Africa Championships in South Africa as well as at the World Championships in 2019 in Alabama, United States.
His journey into the sport began 23 years ago while working at DCI and continued even when he left the institution in 2004, to establish a private security firm of his own.
"In most cases, we have funded ourselves to attend these competitions. Regardless, it has always been our pride and joy to represent Kenya and to fly the country's flag high. I have represented the country in a number of competitions and came away with many lessons," Anthony says.
His most memorable moment is the world championships, which brought him face-to-face with some of his top idols in shooting.
"It was an exciting moment being with some of these shooters, most of who you only see on YouTube, in the flesh and competing against them," he says.
Furthermore, the US trip was an eye-opener for him and others on the kind of investment needed to enable Kenyans to catch up with the who-is-who in the world.
"You can be good but you will not be able to achieve much if there are some prohibitive factors in place like the cost of ammunition. You find that one ammo costs one dollar and so you have to think twice about coming to the range. While in the US, we went to Walmart, where 500 rounds of ammo sell for the equivalent of Sh3,000," he recounts.
Anthony believes more talented shooters can emerge from all corners of the country if only such barriers are eliminated. Practice makes perfect, he says, and it is difficult for upcoming shooters to perfect their art and craft if they cannot afford ammunition.
A father's vision
Having garnered vast experience by virtue of competitions and age, Anthony has just the prescription to awaken the sleeping giant that is Kenya's prowess in shooting.
He points to the fact that Kenya has been represented at the Olympics in shooting — John Harun Mwau at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City — as enough evidence the country can reclaim its lost glory.
"After that, there has not been much. We have enough land at Kasarani stadium and I believe if we approach partners like China, we can set up something to grow the sport from the grassroots just like rugby. If you look at the medal table for the Olympics, you see that China are always on top because of their talent and wins in shooting," the 49-year old says.
He is of the opinion that Kenya can similarly rise higher in the Olympics medal rankings if only stakeholders invest in more sports disciplines and nurture the talent therein to fruition.
"We need to diversify into other sporting disciplines like shooting. Air rifles and pistols are Olympic sports and we can start from there. We can partner with such top shooting countries like China and develop Olympic-standard shooting ranges. People need to know there is more to Kenya in sports other than the major ones," Anthony says.
Encapsulated in this vision is his son, whom he wants to soar higher and surpass his achievements in the sport.
"Definitely, I would want for him to surpass what his father has done. I am currently an expert shooter, hoping to be master shooter in the course of the year," says Anthony amid smiles.
"He wants to be a master shooter by the time he is 18 and if he does that, he has a whole lifetime of shooting ahead of him. I would love to take on air rifle and pistol shooting and go to the Olympics and take the sport to another level."
Ambitious son
Having fallen in love with shooting, it is full steam ahead for Jonathan whose vision meshes with that of his father.
"My main goal was to be a master by the time I am 17 but I want to go even higher and become a grandmaster. I want to grow in the sport and represent the country at international competitions," Jonathan says.
He confesses shooting has indirectly matured him as a man by virtue of spending much time with his dad and developing the discipline to handle a gun.
"He is my mentor; I have learnt a lot from him. He has taught me how to approach issues and interact with other people. Many people say am too young to be in college but I feel like I am ready and belong there. I have learnt how to balance my time and even take more responsibilities like being part of our church's media team," he says.
On his part, Anthony's advice to parents is to watch and embrace their children's talent and nurture them by investing resources and time.
His younger daughter is slowly developing interest in shooting, inspired by her older brother's exploits on the range.
Could we be speaking of a Wahome dynasty in Kenya shooting scene in a few years?
Anthony laughs at the question but nonetheless believes he will be a fulfilled man to see his offsprings spearhead the establishment of Kenya as a powerhouse in the sport.
