KBC Channel 1

Author: Bernard Okumu

  • Chalwe takes overnight lead at Limuru Open

    Chalwe takes overnight lead at Limuru Open

    Zambia’s Gilbert Chalwe produced a brilliant closing nine to card a three-under-par 69 and seize the outright lead after the opening round of the NCBA Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy at the Limuru Country Club.

    Chalwe overcame a slow start that saw him turn in one-over-par 37 before producing a flawless back nine of four-under-par 32. His back-nine charge featured four birdies on holes 11,12,15 and 18 without a single dropped shot, enough to separate himself from the chasing pack on a demanding course.

    “I wanted to have a strong start in the first day so that I have a chance in the competition. I was not expecting much today but there is a lot of golf to be played now. As things stand, anyone can win it especially when you are being chased by so many good players. I will focus on what I can control, try and be more focused mentally because that is what will decide the winner,” Chalwe said.

    Muthaiga Golf Club’s Jay Sandhu finished Round One in second place after returning a two-under-par 70, surrendering the lead he held for the better part of the day after shooting a bogey on the 17th. However, Sandhu remains within striking distance and will head into the second day just one shot behind the leader.

    Jay Sandhu in action during the Limuru Open

    “I did not have much expectations today. My goal was to find the fairways as much as possible which worked well although I missed a few straight putts but I am happy with where I am. I think putting will be very decisive here,” Sandhu said.

    Teenage sensation Kanana Muthomi of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club played equal par to finish day one tied at third with Junaid Ayaz Manji (Sigona Golf Club) and Rwanda’s Byiringiro Jacques (Kigali Golf Resort & Villas).

    Kanana’s round started off difficult, with double bogeys on the 12th and 14th, and a bogey on the 13th. However, she raced to a three-under-par 33 after the turn, picking up birdies on the second, third and fourth holes to settle for an even-par 72.

    “Today was a bit difficult, especially in the first nine where I was overshooting everything. I changed my strategy in the second nine and I played a bit better to finish level par. I hope tomorrow will be much better off the tee, and the putts will be dropping,” Kanana said.

    Kanana Muthomi in action during Limuru Open

    Home player Mbachio Kimani, Felix Dusabe, Josphat Rona, and Kapur Pranay all played one over par 73 and are tied at sixth ahead of the second round on Saturday.

    Kamaisi leads the series player rankings on 809.20 points while Sandhu sat second on 640.00 points, Elvis Muigua remains third with 495.26 points, Eugine Wafula is fourth on 472.26 points, and William Odek rounds out the top five on 409.56 points.

     

  • PGK Equator tour heads to Ruiru as battle for 2027 Kenya Open slots intensifies

    PGK Equator tour heads to Ruiru as battle for 2027 Kenya Open slots intensifies

    The 5th leg of the Professional Golfers Association Of Kenya, PGK Equator Tour heads to Ruiru Golf Club with over 50 golfers taking part in the championship that’s being used by the competitors to acquire ranking points in the race to qualify for the 2027 Magical Kenya Open and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.

    The four-day tournament which culminates Sunday 19th July has attracted a more than 50 professional golfers.

    The entry is led by top golfers Samuel Njoroge, Njoroge Kibugu, Mutahi Kibugu, Greg Snow, Mohit Mediratta, Dismas Indiza, David Wahu, Daniel Nduva, and Edwin Mudanyi, among others.

    “I am looking forward to competing at Ruiru and building on the progress I have made over the last four legs. This tour means a lot to me, not only as a young golfer but also for other local professionals. The competition is always intense, and it is difficult to predict who will come out on top. My focus is to remain consistent and put myself in a strong position throughout the week,” said Mutahi Kibugu.

    The Ruiru leg comes barely a week after the fourth round of the circuit at Nyali Golf and Country Club in Mombasa, where Njoroge Kibugu emerged victorious after an impressive performance.

    Heading into the Ruiru leg, Thika Golf Club’s Samuel Njoroge, one of the four golfers sponsored by Safaricom, continues to lead the Order of Merit standings with 2,377 points, following a string of consistent performances across the opening four legs of the Tour.

    He is followed closely by Kakamega’s Dismas Indiza, who sits second with 1,890 points, while Greg Snow occupies third place with 1,720 points.

    Njoroge will be looking to extend his lead at the top of the standings as his closest challengers seek to close the gap.

    The PGK Equator Tour, organised by the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK), provides the country’s top professionals with a competitive platform to showcase their talent through a season-long circuit played across various golf courses nationwide.

  • Over 90-golfers set for NCBA Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy 

    Over 90-golfers set for NCBA Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy 

    A star-studded field of 96 golfers is set to headline the NCBA Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy at Limuru Country Club scheduled July 17th-19th.

    The 2026 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship Series leader, John Kamaisi, headlines the line-up that also has second placed Jay Sandhu and third-placed Elvis Muigua alongside Rwanda’s Jean D’Amour Hitayezu who comes to this leg on the back of his win at the NCBA Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ last weekend.

    Teenage sensations Kanana Muthomi and Cherono Kipkorir lead the list of women golfers set for the Limuru showdown alongside Kellie Gachaga, Maryam Mwakitawa, and Nancy Wairimu.

    The field features players from Rwanda, Zambia, Namibia, Botswana, Burundi, Uganda, India, Ghana, China, and Serbia, adding strong regional and international appeal as they compete for a share of the Ksh. 700,000 prize pool.

    NCBA Coast Open Barry Cup winner Jean Damour Hitayezu
    IMAGE:FILE

    Kamaisi leads the standings on 809.20 points, extending his advantage at the top despite the second-place finish in Mombasa. Muthaiga Golf Club’s Jay Sandhu sits second on 640.00 points, Elvis Muigua remains third with 495.26 points, Eugine Wafula is fourth on 472.26 points, and William Odek rounds out the top five on 409.56 points.

    The Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy remains an important stop on the KAGC pathway, offering players a chance to earn ranking points, sharpen competitive form, and test themselves against some of the region’s best amateurs. The strength of the entry list also reflects the continued appeal of Limuru Country Club as a venue capable of attracting elite fields and delivering high-quality championship golf.

    Battle for NCBA Series finale slots intensifies

    At the same time, more golfers will be hoping to secure their NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale slots this weekend during the Nyanza Golf Club Monthly Mug, a mini-qualifier of the series.

    Qualification to the Grand Finale, set to be held at the prestigious Karen Country Club on November 28, will be earned by the Overall Gross Winner, Men’s Gross Winner, Lady Gross Winner, Division 2 Men Winner, Division 2 Lady Winner, Division 3 Winner, and the leading Junior.

     

  • Beer giant’s Tusker injects Sh 1.5 million into Prinsloo Sevens

    Beer giant’s Tusker injects Sh 1.5 million into Prinsloo Sevens

    Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) has injected Ksh 1.5 million into the Prinsloo Sevens through its flagship Tusker brand, giving Nakuru RFC a timely boost as they put the finishing touches on hosting the opening leg of the 2026 National Sevens Circuit.

     

    The tournament, set for July 25-26 at the Nakuru Athletics Club, kicks off a six-leg season that will also take in Kisumu, Nairobi, Mombasa and Embu before culminating with the Christie Sevens in Nairobi in September.

    Tusker’s contribution continues a partnership that dates back several seasons, with the brand having previously backed the Driftwood, Dala, Kabeberi and Embu legs of the circuit.

    The sponsorship arrives on the back of a bumper season for Kenyan rugby’s premier club competition, which recently secured a headline SportPesa deal worth Ksh 34.14 million, more than double the previous year’s investment.

    That package is expected to strengthen the circuit’s role as a key development pathway for players aspiring to represent Shujaa, the Kenya Lionesses and the national 15s side.

    Nakuru RFC officials welcomed Tusker’s backing, noting that preparations for the tournament are in their final stages and that corporate support remains critical to running a smooth, well-organised event.

    The beer giant, which serves as the circuit’s official alcoholic beverage and entertainment partner, has said its investment is aimed at enhancing the fan experience alongside the on-field action, including powering official afterparty festivities that have become a fixture of the Sevens Circuit calendar.

    On the pitch, Nakuru will host a strong field expected to include Kabras Sugar, Strathmore Leos, Menengai Oilers and Kenya Harlequin, with Strathmore Leos looking to build on victories at both Prinsloo and Embu last season.

    Age-grade action will also feature on the opening weekend, giving young talent a platform alongside the senior sides.

    The tournament marks the start of a nine-week circuit that will crown its overall champions at the Christie Sevens in September

  • CS Wandayi boosts Migori Youth FC with Ksh 2 million ahead of top-flight season

    CS Wandayi boosts Migori Youth FC with Ksh 2 million ahead of top-flight season

    Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi has donated Ksh 2 million to Migori Youth FC as the newly promoted club prepares for its maiden season in the FKF Premier League.

     

    The donation comes as Migori Youth FC ramps up preparations for the 2026/27 top-flight campaign, having secured automatic promotion after being crowned National Super League (NSL) champions in May. The club, based in Awendo, becomes the latest side to break into Kenya’s top tier alongside established names such as Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards.

    Wandayi’s contribution follows a high-profile State House reception hosted by President William Ruto, during which the Head of State handed the club a 51-seater team bus and pledged a Ksh 10 million cash prize in recognition of their historic promotion. Club patron Mark Nyamita and chairman Aziz used the occasion to appeal for wider financial backing, citing the heavy costs of competing in the Premier League.

    Migori Governor Ochilo Ayacko, who has been closely involved in the club’s rise, has previously highlighted the county’s sporting pedigree, noting that one of Kenya’s Olympic medalists hails from the region.

    The club has already begun strengthening its technical setup for the step up in competition, re-appointing head coach Salim Babu to lead preparations for what is expected to be a demanding debut season.

    With the financial demands of top-flight football weighing on newly promoted sides, Wandayi’s donation adds to a growing wave of political and corporate support for Migori Youth FC as it prepares to compete against Kenya’s traditional football powerhouses for the first time in the club’s history.

  • Wanyonyi, Arop renew Paris rivalry over 800m in London

    Wanyonyi, Arop renew Paris rivalry over 800m in London

    Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop will renew their Olympic rivalry over two laps when the London Diamond League gets underway at London Stadium on Saturday, with the pair headlining a stacked men’s 800m field.

    Wanyonyi, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion, arrives in London on the back of a stunning run in Monaco, where he broke the world record for the 1000m.

    The Kenyan enters the London Stadium as the fastest man in the world over 800m this year, having clocked 1:41.84 in Paris last month, the third-fastest time of his career.

    Arop, who took Olympic silver behind Wanyonyi in Paris, is the reigning world champion and Canadian record holder over the distance.

    The two have developed one of athletics’ most compelling rivalries since their duel at the 2024 Games, and their London meeting adds another chapter to a series that has consistently produced fast times and close finishes.

    They won’t have it easy, either. American Bryce Hoppel, who set a national record with a fourth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, joins the field, as does home favourite Max Burgin, who will be hoping to give the London crowd something to cheer in front of a sold-out stadium.

    The 800m clash is one of several standout middle-distance races on Saturday’s card, which also features Josh Kerr’s bid to break Hicham El Guerrouj’s 27-year-old mile world record and Keely Hodgkinson’s pursuit of the women’s 800m record in the meet’s closing event.

    Saturday’s meeting is the 11th stop of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League season, which began in Shanghai in May and concludes with a two-day final in Brussels in September.

    With a combined 71 Olympic and world medals across the London start list, organisers are billing the event as one of the most competitive one-day meetings in the sport’s calendar.

  • Harambee Starlets jet out to France for final WAFCON tune-up

    Harambee Starlets jet out to France for final WAFCON tune-up

    Harambee Starlets have jetted out to France for a week-long training camp in Miramas, marking the final phase of their preparations for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.

    The squad departed Nairobi on Wednesday after completing their last training session at the Kasarani Annex.

    The camp in southern France is designed to help players acclimatise to weather conditions similar to those they will face in Rabat and Marrakech, where Kenya’s group matches will be played.

    Head coach Beldine Odemba said the team had made encouraging progress in the buildup to the tournament, pointing to a series of friendly matches used to assess the squad’s readiness.

    “We have had a very good camp with friendly matches to gauge the girls. I am happy they are in good form and have shown great determination,” she said.

    The Starlets’ departure follows a State House send-off, where President William Ruto met the squad alongside the Junior Starlets, who recently qualified for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

    Odemba said the gesture had given her players an added boost heading into the tournament.

    Captain Mwanahalima “Dogo” Jereko said the squad was determined to make history at just Kenya’s second WAFCON appearance. “The preparations have been intense, and we thank our coaches for guiding us well. I missed the 2016 WAFCON because I was sitting my national examinations, but this opportunity has come again,” she said.

    Kenya booked their WAFCON return after eliminating Tunisia on aggregate and defeating The Gambia 4-1 in the final qualifying round.

    The team will travel on to Morocco on July 23, ahead of a Group A opener against hosts Morocco on July 26, followed by matches against Senegal on July 30 and Algeria on August 3.

    Odemba has set her sights on a semi-final finish, a result that would also strengthen Kenya’s push for a first-ever place at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

  • Argentina survive England scare to keep title defence alive

    Argentina survive England scare to keep title defence alive

    Argentina survive England scare to keep title defence alive

    Argentina survived a scare from England to reach the 2026 World Cup final, coming from behind to win 2-1 in a tense semifinal at Atlanta Stadium and keep their title defence alive.

    England took the lead in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon converted a low cross from Morgan Rogers, giving the Three Lions hope of reaching their first World Cup final since 1966.

    For much of the second half, Argentina struggled to break through, with Alexis Mac Allister denied by the post and Jordan Pickford making key saves to keep England ahead.

    But Argentina, as they have done throughout this tournament, found a way. Enzo Fernández levelled the score in the 85th minute with a rocket from the edge of the box, controlling a pass from Lionel Messi before finding the corner.

    Six minutes into stoppage time, Messi turned provider again, setting up Lautaro Martínez for a header that sent the Argentine bench into delirium and sealed a dramatic 2-1 win.

    The result extends Argentina’s remarkable run of comebacks at this World Cup, having already fought back against Egypt and gone through extra time against Cape Verde and Switzerland.

    It also sets up a final against European champions Spain on Sunday at New York New Jersey Stadium, as Argentina chases back-to-back titles for the first time since Brazil managed the feat in 1962.

    For England, the defeat prolongs a 60-year wait for a second World Cup and sends them into Saturday’s third-place playoff against France.

  • Kenya crashes out of Billie Jean King Cup Group III without a single win

    Kenya crashes out of Billie Jean King Cup Group III without a single win

    Kenya’s women’s tennis team crashed out of the Billie Jean King Cup Africa Group III without a single win, confirming their relegation to Group IV for 2027.

    The team travelled to Gaborone, Botswana, for the July 13-18 tournament with hopes of returning to Group II after missing out via a semi-final loss to Morocco in Namibia last year.

    Instead, the campaign unravelled from the opening tie, when unseeded Ghana stunned second-seeded Kenya 3-0, a result that set the tone for a difficult week.

    Kenya, drawn in Pool B alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Ghana, failed to pick up a win in any of their round-robin matches, leaving them unable to advance to the promotion play-offs.

    The result confirms Kenya’s drop to Africa Zone Group IV alongside Burundi.

    The squad, captained without 2022 Wimbledon girls’ doubles champion Angella Okutoyi, featured regulars Stacy Yego and Roselida Asumwa alongside newcomers Faith Urasa and Felicia Ouko.

    Okutoyi’s absence was seen as a significant blow to Kenya’s promotion hopes, given her role in previous campaigns.

    The defeat marks a low point for a team that has spent recent years hovering just below Group II, and raises fresh questions for the Kenya Lawn Tennis Association over depth, preparation and funding heading into 2027.

    Eleven nations competed in Gaborone for two promotion spots to Europe/Africa Group II, with the bottom two sides in the standings dropping to Group IV.

    Kenya’s winless run means a rebuild is now needed before the team can mount another promotion push.

  • Hand of god: Argentina and England clash again with everything on the line

    Hand of god: Argentina and England clash again with everything on the line

    Forty years ago in Mexico City, Diego Maradona punched a ball past England’s goalkeeper and changed the course of a rivalry forever. 

    Argentina and England will step onto the pitch in Atlanta carrying that history with them, this time with a place in the World Cup final at stake.

    The two nations haven’t met at a World Cup since a low-key group-stage match in 2002, but the shadow of 1986 has never fully lifted.

    That quarterfinal, played just four years after the Falklands War, produced two of the most talked-about goals in the sport’s history: the illegal handball Maradona later credited to “the hand of God,” and, minutes later, a mesmerizing 60-yard solo run still considered one of the greatest goals ever scored. Argentina won 2-1 and went on to lift the trophy.

    This time, the stakes are just as high but the storylines have shifted. Lionel Messi, playing what may be his final World Cup match, leads an Argentina side chasing back-to-back titles.

    Across from him, Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane are driving an England team hoping to reach just its second-ever World Cup final, and first since 1966.

    There’s no controversy hanging over this one yet, no handball to relitigate. But the weight of history still sits over Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

    For Argentine fans, beating England again would be another chapter in a story that started with defiance. For England, a win would mean finally putting one of football’s oldest grudges to rest, on the pitch, in a fair fight.

    Whatever happens, one thing is certain: this fixture was never just about football, and forty years on, it still isn’t.