News

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

11^th March 2025

VINCENT MUKIRI APPOINTED AS NEW JUNIOR GOLF FOUNDATION CHAIRMAN

The Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is pleased to announce the appointment of Vincent Mukiri as the new Chairman of the Junior Golf Foundation (JGF), effective immediately. Mukiri takes over from Regina Gachora, who has successfully led the foundation for the last three years.

Mr. Mukiri, who previously served as the Vice Chairman of the Junior Golf Foundation, is well-positioned to lead the foundation into its next chapter. A member of Thika Golf Club, Mukiri brings years of experience in junior golf development and a deep passion for the game. His close involvement in the foundation’s activities and his leadership at Thika Golf Club make him an ideal fit for the role of Chairman. Mukiri, who has also been the JGF Tournaments Director is committed to advancing junior golf and believes in providing young golfers with the opportunities and support they need to succeed both on and off the course.

“I am delighted to have an opportunity to impact young lives, their families, communities and our nation at this strategic level and will serve to the best of my ability. “Junior golf in Kenya has immense potential, and I am eager to build upon the foundation’s successes. Together with the team, we will continue to provide opportunities for young golfers and ensure that they have the resources and support needed to thrive.”

Mr. David Ndung’u, Chairman of the Kenya Golf Union, expressed his confidence in Mukiri’s appointment, stating, “Vincent Mukiri’s appointment as the new Chairman of the Junior Golf Foundation is a great step forward for junior golf in Kenya. His experience, commitment, and passion for the game make him the best fit to lead JGF into the future. We are excited to work with him and support his efforts and those of the foundation to further elevate junior golf in the country.”

Regina Gachora has been instrumental in guiding JGF to new heights, fostering the growth and development of junior golf across the country. Under her leadership, the foundation achieved numerous milestones. Her tenure has had a profound impact on the growth of junior golf, and the KGU and JGF thank her for her remarkable service.

About Kenya Golf Union

Established in 1928, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is the banding together of golf clubs in Kenya, in order to control their affairs and to promote the interests of the game of golf. The Union runs golf activities in Kenya and is responsible for all aspects relating to handicapping, course rating, golf development and rules education and enforcement. KGU is affiliated to the National Olympic Committee, Kenya (NOCK), the International Golf Federation (IGF) and the R&A.

About Junior Golf Foundation

Junior Golf Foundation is a project of the Kenya Golf Union and the Kenya Ladies Golf Union responsible for Growth and development of the game of golf among juniors and was established in 1995.

Road to MKO Success (1)_250225_120729 (1)

Since 2019 when the Magical Kenya Open became part of the European Tour circuit (now DP World Tour), this year’s tournament had the highest number of Kenyans represented. 13 Golf pros and 5 Amateurs teed it up at Muthaiga Golf Club on Thursday 20th February. While none of them played over the weekend, we applaud their gallant efforts, fighting it out with some of the world’s best golfers.

15-year-old Shashwat Harish was among the key highlights from the just concluded event. Of the 18 Kenyans he finished second, tied at +4 with National team captain John Lejirma. Notably, on Saturday 22nd February, the Magical Kenya Open featured a unique competition within the competition; Beat the Pro challenge in which 20 juniors competed against the pros in getting the ball closest to the hole on the signature 13th hole. Three of them, Kanana Muthomi, Kevin Anyien and Mitansh Thacker managed to do so successfully and through the kind support of Absa Bank, earned themselves KES. 50,000 each in their bank accounts.

Jacques Kruyswijk the winner of the 2025 MKO acknowledged the presence and enthusiasm of the junior players throughout the tournament. These up-and-coming players are a testament to the long-term efforts of the Kenya Golf Union through the Junior Golf Foundation in enhancing inclusivity of the youngsters in the game. Kruyswijk won Kenya Shillings 55,000,000 from the total purse of Kenya Shillings 330,000,000.

In 2023, we begun the High Performance Program (HPP) which is a pathway program designed to develop well-trained top notch golfers from a young age. The current cohort of players has 10 male and 8 female players between 12 and 24 years of age. Two of the three players that beat the Pro on Saturday are part of this program.

The players receive training from highly accomplished national and international coaches and are required to regularly record and submit specific statistics and data points on all aspects of their game. Besides the technical aspects, the HPP also focuses on psychological strength and preparedness, nutrition, strength and conditioning as well as general sporting discipline. This will result in developing complete sportspersons by the time the players get to the Pro ranks. Needless to say, getting them there will take time and as a golfing fraternity, we need to be patient before we can reap the results of this initiative that is supported by the R&A and NCBA Bank. When the alumni of this program tee it up in future editions of MKO, the question will no longer be whether they will make the cut, the question will be how many of them can contend to win.

Before then, KGU and the Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) will continue to provide our Pro golfers and elite amateurs the opportunities and preparation to perform at the optimal level at MKO and any other high-level tournaments they find themselves in. The Safari Tour will resume soon and we urge you to look out for the launch of the next season. In the meantime, let us continue applauding and encouraging our elite and pro golfers as they make progress towards getting better.

We welcome more corporate organizations to partner with the Union and the broader golfing fraternity in the golf development initiatives and tournaments that will expose our elite amateurs and Pros to intense competition. The future for Kenyan golf can only be brighter.

David Ndungu – Chairman, Kenya Golf Union
25th February 2025

Press Release

NCBA Kenya Amateur Golf Championship – Kiambu Open 2024 Set to Tee Off at Kiambu Golf Club from 14th to 16th November

Kiambu, Kenya – The 26th event in the NCBA Kenya Amateur Golf Championship series, the NCBA Kiambu Open, is set to take place from 15th to 17th November 2024 at the prestigious Kiambu Golf Club. This marks the third edition of the Kiambu Open since its inauguration in 2022. The event has drawn 78 talented golfers from across Kenya and the East African region, including participants from Uganda and Rwanda.

The tournament will feature an exciting mix of seasoned players and rising stars. Homegrown talent such as Michael Karanga, Elvis Muigua, Michael Ngene, and Steven Kiaro are expected to deliver top-tier performances this weekend. Additionally, the event has attracted a strong lineup of lady golfers including local standout Joyce Wanjiru, Naomi Wafula of Vipingo Ridge, Riddima Singh from India, and Kellie Gachaga of Karen Country Club, all of whom are eager to showcase their skills and challenge for top honors.

As the 2024 NCBA Series nears its conclusion, the competition remains fierce. Michael Karanga currently leads the series with an impressive 722 points, followed by John Lejirma with 646 points, while Elvis Muigua sits in third with 449.3 points. With several tournaments already completed, this year’s series has provided an incredible platform for emerging talent, highlighted by new champions such as Elly Barno who won (Nandi Bears), William Odek (Kenya Amateur Strokeplay Championship), Josephat Rono (Golf Park Golf Club), Titus Okwong (Tea Fields Trophy), Felix Dusabe (Mt. Kenya Championship), Michael Alunga (Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship), and John Kamais (Nyanza Open).

Speaking ahead of the event, Mr. David Ndung’u, Chairman of the Kenya Golf Union (KGU), expressed gratitude towards NCBA Group for their ongoing support of the amateur golf circuit. “We are truly grateful to NCBA for their unwavering commitment to the growth of golf in Kenya. The NCBA Series has provided a unique opportunity for both established and upcoming players to showcase their talent and compete at the highest level. The sponsorship has played a key role in developing the sport, giving golfers the platform they need to progress and gain international exposure. We are excited to see how this partnership continues to elevate Kenyan golf, and we look forward to an exciting weekend at Kiambu Golf Club.”

The support from NCBA has been instrumental in the success of this year’s championship series. By sponsoring these events, NCBA is not only contributing to the development of Kenya’s golfing talent but also fostering youth participation and encouraging broader regional engagement in the sport. Their investment is helping to grow the game from grassroots to elite levels, ensuring that Kenyan golfers continue to thrive both locally and internationally.

ENDS-

About Kenya Golf Union:

Established in 1928, the Kenya Golf Union (KGU) is Kenya’s oldest continuous sports organization. Affiliated with the Ministry of Sports & Culture, the Royal & Ancient, and the International Golf Federation, KGU serves as the governing body for golf in Kenya, uniting 38 golf clubs and 2 golfing societies across the nation. The Union’s core objectives encompass the advancement, promotion, and protection of golfing interests within Kenya.

About NCBA Group:

NCBA Group is a full-service banking group providing a broad range of financial products and services to corporate, institutional, SME, and consumer banking customers. NCBA Group operates a network of more than 100 branches in five countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ivory Coast. Serving over 60 million customers, the NCBA Group is the largest banking group in Africa by customer numbers.  NCBA Bank Kenya PLC is Kenya’s third-largest bank by assets. The Bank is set to play a key role in supporting Africa’s economic ambitions. The Bank is a market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance, and Digital Banking.

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ohn Lejirma, Elvis Muigua, Adel Balala, and Krish Beiju will represent Kenya in the upcoming All Africa Golf Team Championship, to be held at the Bulawayo Golf Club in Zimbabwe from 27th October to 2nd November 2024.

“We are thrilled to see our young talents representing Kenya on such a prestigious platform. Their hard work and commitment have truly paid off, and we have full confidence in their abilities to compete at the highest level. This championship is not only a chance to showcase their skills but also an opportunity to foster camaraderie among African nations through sport,” said David Ndung’u, KGU Chairman. The chairman will accompany the team to Zimbabwe

The team is riding high after their recent wins in Region IV held earlier this month. “We are looking forward to our next assignment at the AAGTC in Zimbabwe. Competing against the top amateurs on the continent will be a true test of our abilities as a team. Myself, Adel, Lejirma, and Krish have been working hard individually and will continue training with our coach following our recent success,” said John Lejirma, team captain.

The  team has been training under national coach John van Liefland for the past two months and is ready for the championship, which has attracted a total of 15 countries, including South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Morocco, Ghana, Tunisia, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Seychelles among others .

The biennial All Africa Golf Championship, considered one of the most prestigious amateur team events, was first played in 2001 and is endorsed by the R&A and the Africa Golf Confederation.