Miriam, a Grade 5 pupil and the reigning Kenya Under-11 Chess Champion, departed Nairobi on Thursday alongside Kenya’s junior chess team to compete in the World Cadets Chess Championship
Bungoma town was awash with celebrations as teachers, parents, and pupils of Bungoma DEB Primary School came together to honor one of their brightest stars, 11-year-old Miriam Paraan, for her remarkable triumph on the continental chess stage.She is African Individual schools chess champion.
Miriam, a Grade 5 pupil and the reigning Kenya Under-11 Chess Champion, departed Nairobi on Thursday alongside Kenya’s junior chess team to compete in the World Cadets Chess Championship, set to take place from September 18 to October 1, 2025, in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
Her rise has been nothing short of inspirational. Earlier this year in April, Miriam stunned the continent at the Africa Under-11 Chess Championship, where she clinched gold and earned the coveted Candidate Chess Master title. That historic victory not only etched her name in African chess but also secured her place on Kenya’s team for the World Cadets—an event that brings together the globe’s most promising young chess minds.
For Bungoma, Kenya, and Africa at large, Miriam’s journey symbolizes both hope and limitless potential—proof that champions can rise from anywhere.
The 2025 edition of the World Cadets has already drawn 835 young chess players from 90 countries, who will battle across six age categories — U8, U10, and U12 — each featuring an open section and a girls’ tournament. The games will unfold at the Baluan Sholak Sports Palace in Almaty, a venue known for hosting major international competitions.
Kenya’s Rising Stars
Miriam will not be alone in flying the Kenyan flag high. She will join a formidable team of talented youngsters who have earned their places at the world stage through grit and brilliance on the chessboard.
The full team includes:Muthoni Baraka Jackson, Jayne Awuor Otieno, Jayson Ndarwa Kimani, Winnie Kaburo – former African champion and current Under-12 national champion, Timothy Karugo – competing in the Under-7 category, Odiwuor Breetalliza Amandah – reigning Girls’ Under-10 champion
Together, this team represents the best of Kenya’s emerging chess talent and showcases the depth of the game’s growth in the country.
Mentorship and Preparation
Miriam’s rise is also a testament to the power of mentorship. Her trainer and chess mentor, Bungoma based Baba Jamari, spoke proudly about her progress when reached by Michezoafrika.com.
“The joy of having been one of the mentors to a champion” He said.
“Miriam is just but one of the girls we have worked with over the past few years, and we are glad she has shown potential to become a world-class player,” he added.
Jamari runs a mentorship and training initiative in Bungoma that uses chess to cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills among young learners.
Miriam’s qualification to the World Cadets Championship places her among Africa’s brightest prospects in the game, and her story shines a spotlight on the growing chess culture in Kenya and across the continent.
As she takes her seat at the boards in Almaty, Miriam will carry the hopes to inspire her peers not only in Bungoma but also Kenya and Africa at large. Her determination, talent, and composure at such a young age have already made her a role model for many aspiring chess players back home.
With the global stage set, all eyes will be on Bungoma’s wonder kid and her teammates as they prepare to face the best in the world — and perhaps script yet another golden chapter for Kenyan chess.