“I want to show that there is talent in Africa” – David Munyua: the Kenyan veterinarian who is set for his World Darts Championship debut

David Munyua, a veterinarian and the Kenyan opponent of Mike De Decker, makes his debut this afternoon at the World Darts Championship. He is the first Kenyan participant to step onto the stage, a historic milestone for the African nation. Ahead of his opening match, HLN spoke with him.

The 30-year-old darter was born and raised in Murang'a, close to the capital Nairobi. The current weather in London is already quite a shift for Munyua. “It’s pretty cold here, and it’s raining. Back home it’s a lot warmer, believe me,” he says with a smile. “But hey, the weather doesn’t bother me. We’re here on a mission.”

Munyua had to travel over 14 hours in total from Nairobi to London, where he had never been before. “Amazing city. Although the Worlds might fall in the wrong season. I’ve never experienced temperatures like this. But we were prepared.” For the trip he secured sponsors to help fund him. “A few in the United Kingdom and Europe. We’re very grateful to them, because it made our trip a bit more comfortable. I can tell you: it was a very long flight.”

You might expect that a 30-year-old darter from Kenya, not used to playing in front of big crowds and large venues, would be nervous before his big Worlds debut. But Munyua has none of that. “No. Of course not. When I was throwing in Africa, that’s when I was nervous. Those nerves will never be surpassed—I wasn’t myself. But now? I’m already here! I can only enjoy it.”

Winning the African Worlds qualifier against South African Cameron Carolissen was already impressive, but Alexandra Palace is another level. He seems ready for the madhouse. “I’ve dreamed about it. I really can’t wait. I didn’t expect to be here already.”

Munyua hasn’t been playing that long. “True. I’ve only been playing for three years. I used to play mostly pool. One day I was having a beer with a friend, and he told me he used to play darts. He showed me how it worked. I threw my first darts and thought: ‘wow, this is fun.’ I immediately went to buy a board. A bit later that friend suggested entering small tournaments. ‘Why not?’ I made a lot of new friends there. It actually wasn’t about the PDC for me, but about the sportsmanship and the friendship. I loved that.”

And now he is suddenly the best player from Africa, representing the continent at the World Darts Championship. “That really is a dream come true. Since I started playing darts, I’ve always wanted to represent my country and continent. This is a big deal, for myself and my people back home.”

In his opening match he faces Belgian Mike De Decker, who will also feel pressure as the Belgians have underperformed at the tournament so far. But did he already know his opponent? “Absolutely. I’m a fan of his. I really like his playing style. Last year I was cheering for him and really hoped he would win the Grand Prix. I was very happy for him when he actually won. Mike is a very good player. And now I have the honor to play against someone I look up to.”

Although he is clearly not the favorite on paper, he still believes there are opportunities. “In sport anything is possible. Nobody is guaranteed victory beforehand. If we both play well, Mike will win. But if I play better than him? Then it’s mine. I’m really going to give it everything. Win or lose, I wish Mike all the best.”

Outside of darts, Munyua works full-time as a veterinarian. “That’s my full-time job, yes. Caring for animals is my passion. I mainly specialize in pets. It’s quite challenging to combine that with darts, but for now it works. I want to do both as well as possible.” The Worlds is actually a sort of mini-holiday for the Kenyan. “I’m self-employed, and in my practice I work with around four colleagues. They can step in when I go to play tournaments.”

Darts wasn’t very popular in Kenya, but now that Munyua gets to represent the country, it’s more alive than ever. “Right now it’s big, with us going to the Worlds. But in recent years? Not really. It’s not embraced the way it should be. Darts is seen as a pub sport, and that doesn’t help if you want to grow the sport. We’re doing everything we can so that, in time, people can make a living from darts.”

He doesn’t see himself as the star of his country, though. “Not really. Kenya is a developing country. There are many people who simply aren’t aware, because that information doesn’t reach them. Most don’t watch the news. And those who do aren’t too concerned about it. Some are surprised when I introduce myself and say what I do.”

His manager even adds that he is currently ‘more famous in London’. “Here many people do know that I’m playing the Worlds at the PDC, yes. In Kenya some don’t even know what the PDC is. I dropped by ‘Ally Pally’ last Saturday to catch a match, and I already met a lot of people there.”

Finally, the £1 million prize fund must be mentioned, a sum he certainly thinks about. “Of course. It’s life changing. Not only for me, but for all Kenyan darters. That’s my main goal. I want to show that there’s talent in Africa. We really have good players who can throw strongly. I want to create a good environment for them. Darts is on the rise in our country, and I hope to contribute as much as possible. I really want to take darts back to Kenya.”