KBC Channel 1

Author: Bernard Okumu

  • Kenya’s boxing quartet in camp, eyes set on Glasgow 2026 glory

    Kenya’s boxing quartet in camp, eyes set on Glasgow 2026 glory

    Kenya’s boxing hopes for the 2026 Commonwealth Games are taking shape, with a strong team currently in camp putting the final touches on their preparations ahead of the Glasgow showpiece.

    The squad, announced by the National Olympic Committee of Kenya, blends established campaigners with rising talent as the team eyes a strong showing on the international stage.

    Leading the men’s charge is Robert Okaka, who will compete in the light heavyweight division, alongside Boniface Mogunde in the light middleweight category. On the women’s side, Amina Martha will represent Kenya in the bantamweight class, while Rosemarion Achieng has been handed the lightweight slot. Together, the quartet forms a squad NOCK officials describe as a solid mix of seasoned campaigners and emerging prospects, all currently sharpening their skills in camp before departing for Scotland.

    The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games run from July 23 to August 2, with the boxing competition itself scheduled to take place at the SEC Centre between July 24 and August 1. The tournament format has been adjusted for this edition, with the number of men’s weight categories reduced and the women’s divisions expanded, reflecting boxing’s continued evolution as one of the Games’ most competitive disciplines. Preliminary bouts open the competition, building toward quarterfinals, semifinals, and the gold medal fights on the tournament’s final day.

    Boxing carries a proud history at the Commonwealth Games, having featured at every edition since the very first Games in 1930, and Kenya has traditionally used the tournament as a proving ground for boxers looking to establish themselves on the continental and global circuit. For this year’s quartet, the Games represent a chance to add to that legacy, testing themselves against fighters from across the 74 competing nations expected in Glasgow.

    With camp now in its final stretch, attention will soon turn to travel arrangements and final preparations before the team departs for Scotland. For Okaka, Mogunde, Martha, and Achieng, the weeks ahead offer one final opportunity to fine-tune their craft before stepping into the ring on one of the sport’s biggest international stages, each hoping to bring home a medal for Kenya.

  • Migori Youth unveil Salim Babu to lead maiden FKF Premier League campaign

    Migori Youth unveil Salim Babu to lead maiden FKF Premier League campaign

    Migori Youth FC have named Salim Babu as their new head coach, tasking the experienced tactician with steering the South Nyanza club through its first-ever season in the FKF Premier League.

    The appointment brings considerable top-flight experience to a club stepping into unfamiliar territory. Babu becomes available after departing Nairobi City Stars in April, when his contract with the Nairobi-based side expired following an 18-month spell in charge.

    Before that stint, he built a reputation as one of Kenyan football’s more well-travelled coaches, having previously led Sony Sugar, Western Stima, Kisumu All Stars, and Nzoia Sugar, in addition to working as an assistant coach at Wazito FC and later at Kenya Police, where he was promoted to head coach in 2024.

    Beyond club football, Babu has also made his mark at the national team level, currently overseeing Kenya’s U17, U18, and U20 sides. His work with the age-group teams produced a landmark achievement in 2024, when he guided Kenya’s U20 side to the CECAFA championship final in Tanzania, making him the first coach to qualify a Kenyan team for continental age-group honours since 1979.

    For Migori Youth, the hire marks the latest step in a remarkable rise. Founded in 2016, the club climbed steadily through Kenya’s lower divisions before securing automatic promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history, following a 2-1 win over Equity FC that sealed the 2025/26 National Super League title. The promotion arrives alongside a broader transformation for the club, including an ongoing Sh700 million upgrade of Migori Stadium designed to bring the venue up to top-flight standards.

    With Babu now in charge, Migori Youth will be hoping his blend of top-flight know-how and success developing young talent can help the newly promoted side establish itself in Kenya’s premier competition.

  • Arbeloa replaces Silva as Fulham appoint former Real Madrid coach

    Arbeloa replaces Silva as Fulham appoint former Real Madrid coach

    Fulham have confirmed Alvaro Arbeloa as their new head coach, handing the 43-year-old Spaniard a three-year contract that runs through the summer of 2029. He takes over from Marco Silva, who left Craven Cottage at the end of last season to become Benfica’s new manager.

    Arbeloa arrives in west London fresh off a brief and difficult spell in charge of Real Madrid, where he stepped up from a coaching role after Xabi Alonso departed to take over at Chelsea in January. His time at the Bernabéu ultimately proved short-lived, ending when Jose Mourinho was brought in to fill the vacancy — a twist Arbeloa may find pointed, given he had previously said he would not work under the Portuguese manager.

    Despite the rocky ending at Real Madrid, Fulham’s hierarchy moved quickly to secure his services. Club owner Shahid Khan praised Arbeloa’s case for the job, built through a series of meetings over the summer, and said he was confident the squad, staff, and supporters would embrace the new appointment.

    For Arbeloa, the move represents his first managerial post outside Spain, though English football is not entirely unfamiliar territory. As a player, the former Spain international spent time in the Premier League with both Liverpool and West Ham, part of a career that also included Champions League titles at Real Madrid and a World Cup winner’s medal with Spain in 2010.

    Arbeloa is expected to link up with his new squad ahead of pre-season training in the coming days as Fulham begin preparations for the new campaign.

  • Pamoja Spirit: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania gear up for historic 2027 AFCON

    Pamoja Spirit: Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania gear up for historic 2027 AFCON

    With just over a year remaining until kickoff, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania are racing against the clock to prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, a tournament that will mark the first time in the competition’s history that three nations have jointly hosted the continent’s premier football event. Branded “Pamoja” — Swahili for “together” — the tournament runs from June 19 to July 17, 2027, and represents East Africa’s first opportunity to stage AFCON since Ethiopia did so in 1976.

    Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, Tanzania. IMAGE: COURTESY

    Stadium construction sits at the heart of preparations. In Kenya, authorities have poured resources into upgrading the Moi International Sports Centre in Kasarani and Nyayo National Stadium, while also fast-tracking work on the new Talanta Sports City in Nairobi. Uganda has completed its purpose-built Hoima City Stadium and continues to renovate the Mandela National Stadium at Namboole and Akii Bua Stadium in Lira. Tanzania, meanwhile, is upgrading Benjamin Mkapa Stadium and building new venues in Arusha and Zanzibar.

    But the effort extends well beyond football grounds. Roads leading to host cities are being upgraded, airports are being modernised, and hospitality sectors across all three countries are training staff and expanding accommodation capacity to handle an expected wave of visitors. Officials have also floated a shared regional travel arrangement that would let fans, teams, and media move across the three countries without needing separate visas for each stop.

    Hoima City Stadium, Uganda. IMAGE: COURTESY

    The scale of what’s at stake is significant. CAF projects more than 1.5 million fans will travel across the region during the tournament, with a global broadcast audience expected to top 3.2 billion viewers. For Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, success would mean more than a well-run football tournament — it would serve as a lasting showcase of East Africa’s capacity to deliver world-class infrastructure, hospitality, and regional cooperation on the biggest stage the continent has to offer.

  • Countdown begins as expanded WAFCON 2026 nears kick-off in Morocco

    Countdown begins as expanded WAFCON 2026 nears kick-off in Morocco

    Africa’s biggest women’s football tournament is edging closer, with the countdown officially on for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. The tournament opens on July 26 in Rabat, where hosts Morocco will take on Kenya at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in front of what is expected to be a packed home crowd, in a match kicking off at 9:00 p.m. local time. Earlier the same day, Algeria and Senegal will meet in the other Group A fixture at Rabat’s Olympic Stadium.

    This edition marks a genuine turning point for the women’s game on the continent. For the first time in the tournament’s history, the field has grown from 12 to 16 teams, giving more nations a shot at continental glory and reflecting the steady investment African football’s governing body has made in the women’s side of the sport in recent years.

    The expanded lineup features a mix of established powerhouses and newcomers. Hosts Morocco and defending champions Nigeria headline a field that also includes South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Algeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, Senegal, Mali, Malawi, Burkina Faso, and Cape Verde. Matches will be staged across venues in Rabat and Casablanca, giving fans across multiple cities the chance to take in the action live.

    Beyond continental bragging rights, this year’s competition carries extra weight because it doubles as a qualifying pathway to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The four teams that reach the semifinals will punch their tickets automatically, while sides eliminated at the quarterfinal stage still get a second chance through a separate World Cup play-off route.

    Morocco enters the tournament as hosts for an unprecedented third consecutive time, underlining the country’s growing reputation as a reliable venue for major African football events — a role it is also expected to lean on as co-host of the 2030 men’s World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.

    With a bigger format, a stacked field of contenders, and World Cup qualification on the line, this edition of WAFCON is shaping up to be one of the most significant chapters yet in the growth of women’s football across Africa.

  • Okutoyi and McAdoo survive opening scare to start Aschaffenburg title defense

    Okutoyi and McAdoo survive opening scare to start Aschaffenburg title defense

    Kenya’s Angella Okutoyi got her doubles title defense at the W100 Aschaffenburg off to a winning, if nervy, start, coming through a tightly contested opening-round match alongside American partner Rasheeda McAdoo.

    The pair, who lifted the doubles crown at the same German event in 2025, had to dig deep to keep their title hopes alive, needing to fight through some testing moments before closing out the win. It marks an important early step for Okutoyi as she begins life as a full-time professional, having only recently relocated her training base to London.

    The tournament represents the opening stop on a busy new chapter for the 22-year-old Kenyan, who wrapped up a standout collegiate career at Auburn University before turning fully professional. Now working under a coaching team that includes former world number one doubles player Cara Black and former top-five player Wayne Black, Okutoyi is looking to build momentum as she chases a higher ranking heading into the second half of the season.

    Aschaffenburg holds special significance for the Kenyan star, given her success there last year, and a deep run this time would offer an early marker of progress in her new professional setup. Okutoyi and McAdoo will now turn their attention to the next round as they look to defend their title and continue building confidence together on court.

    Okutoyi’s schedule remains busy in the weeks ahead, with several more tournaments lined up in the United Kingdom as she settles into her new training base near Wimbledon.

  • Omar named Kenya Police FC’s standout performer at season-ending gala awards night

    Omar named Kenya Police FC’s standout performer at season-ending gala awards night

    Abud Omar left Tuesday night’s Kenya Police FC awards gala as the man of the moment, picking up  Most Valuable Player, Defender of the Season and Goal of the Season honours at a ceremony held at Nairobi Serena hotel.
    The event brought together club administrators, senior figures from the National Police Service, players, and coaching staff to mark the close of the 2025/26 season for both the men’s and women’s sides.
    It was a season of mixed fortunes for the men’s team. A third-place finish in the FKF Premier League was followed by heartbreak in the Mozzart Bet Cup, where Kenya Police fell 2-1 to Tusker in the final at Kwale Stadium, missing out on what would have been only their second title in that competition.
    The women’s team, Kenya Police Bullets, fared considerably better, clinching a third straight FKF Women’s Premier League crown — a result that books their place in the CECAFA qualifying rounds for the CAF Women’s Champions League in Rwanda.


    Elsewhere on the men’s side, new arrival Yves Koutiama also had a night to remember, collecting both the Signing of the Season and Golden Boot awards after a strong first campaign at the club.
    The women’s honours were spread among several players. Ugandan forward Margaret Kunihira took the MVP title, Elizabeth Ochaka was named Defender of the Season, and Lorna Nyarinda claimed Midfielder of the Season. Diana Ochola picked up the Young Player award, while goalkeeper Annedy Kundu was recognised as the season’s best shot-stopper. Emily Moranga received the Most Improved Player honour, Terry Engesha’s goal against Ulinzi Starlets was voted Goal of the Season, and longtime supporter Praxides Mushira — known to fans as Afande Cele — was named Fan of the Season.


    Addressing attendees, Kenya Police Deputy Patron Eliud Lagat pledged continued investment in the club’s facilities and player development, expressing confidence that the team is building toward sustained success on the continental stage.

    Kenya Police FC men’s award winners

    Most Valuable Player: Abud Omar
    Chairman’s Award: Ernest Malonga
    Signing of the Season: Yves Koutiama
    Golden Boot: Yves Koutiama
    Defender of the Season: Abud Omar
    Midfielder of the Season: Charles Ouma
    Goalkeeper of the Season: Job Ochieng’
    Most Improved Player: Erick Zakayo
    Young Player of the Season: Daniel Ogembo

    Kenya Police Bullets award winners

    Most Valuable Player: Margaret Kunihira
    Defender of the Season: Elizabeth Ochaka
    Midfielder of the Season: Lorna Nyarinda
    Goalkeeper of the Season: Annedy Kundu
    Young Player of the Season: Diana Ochola
    Most Improved Player: Emily Moranga
    Goal of the Season: Terry Engesha (vs Ulinzi Starlets)
    Fan of the Season: Praxides Mushira (Afande Cele)

  • Heartbreak for Egypt as Argentina snatches World Cup quarter final ticket  

    Heartbreak for Egypt as Argentina snatches World Cup quarter final ticket  

    Holders Argentina survived huge scare to qualify for the quarter finals of the ongoing  FIFA World Cup after defeating Egypt 3-2 in a pulsating round of 16 clash at Atlanta Stadium,USA.

    Egypt surrendered a 2-0 lead with 10 minutes to go as the record Africa champions exited the championship albeit reaching the knock out round for the first time in their World Cup history .

    Egypt  grabbed the lead through Yasser Ibrahim in the 15th minute but Argentina had a chance to equalize but their captain and leading World Cup top scorer Lionel Messi missed his penalty.

    Egypt added a second in the second half through Mostafa Ziko minutes after Egypt’s another goal had been disallowed by French referee François Letexier, a harsh decision that took the winds off the Egyptian sails.

    A relentless Argentina pulled one back through Cristian Romero with 12 minutes to go while Messi levelled the scores with fierce shot from the edge of the box.

    Argentina won it in added time with Enzo Fernandez heading home  to claim 3-2 win and qualify for the quarters and will meet either Colombia and Switzerland in the quarter finals.

    World Cup Quarter Finals

    France Vs Miorocco-July 9th

    Spain Vs Belgium-July 10th

    Norway Vs England-July 10th

  • Chhag century sinks Swamis as Champions Ruaraka A take early lead

    Chhag century sinks Swamis as Champions Ruaraka A take early lead

    Ngara Sports Club A announced themselves in the Nairobi County Cricket Association Super Division 50-Overs League 2026 with a commanding 91-run win over Swamibapa A at the latter’s Jamhuri High School backyard on Saturday, June 28.

    Swamibapa won the toss and put the South C-based side to bat. The decision backfired as Ngara “A” posted a strong 270/6 in their allotted 50 overs and then bowled Swamibapa out for 179 in 37.3 overs. Ngara had their campaign effectively sewn up with a rapid collapse of Swamibapa top order which saw skipper Rushabh Patel dismissed for 7, Prashang Hirani for 1 and Haswang Brahmbhatt for a duck.

    CHHAG CARRIES NGARA

    But the story of the day was swashbuckling Ngara pro Shubham Chhag who treated fans to some exhilarating displays at Swamis’ home venue. The indefatigable Ngara batter anchored the innings with an unbeaten 127 off 116 balls, striking 12 fours and a six at a strike rate of 109.48. With an apparently insatiable appetite for runs, Chhag was named Player-of-the-Match and Best Batter for his match-defining knocks.

    He savored crucial support from his fellow pro batsman Satyam Chaudhary, who blasted 57 from 55 balls with eight fours and a six, and Harsh Patel with a quick 26 off 37. Skipper Rajiv Sutaria and Shivam Dewadi made starts with 15 and 16 respectively, but it was Chhag who ensured Ngara had enough on the board.

    For Swamibapa, Peter Koech was the pick of the bowlers with 3/52 in 10 overs, earning both Best Bowler and Fighter of the Match honors.

    Chasing 271, Swamibapa never found momentum. Jignesh Hirani top-scored for the Swamis with a fighting 52 off 62, while Dhwanil Patel provided late fireworks with 38 off 31 including three sixes. National team ace Sachin Gill added 32 for Swamis.

    Ngara’s. Satyam Chaudhary turned hero with the ball too, claiming 3/24, while Aum Patel and Parth Patel took two each to wrap up Swamibapa A for 179 in 37.3 overs.

    Ngara A will take confidence from a complete performance to open their campaign, while Swamibapa will rue a batting collapse after a promising start with the ball. Skipper Rushabh Patel was left to rue missed chances in the field and some very ordinary bowling by his bowlers. He was disappointed with the start of the campaign, but he insisted his team will work on the flaws and come back stronger in the next game.

    RUARAKA SPARKLE AT SIR ALI

    In another high-scoring Super Division match, Ruaraka pro Satyalaksh Deepak Jain hit a century as the Thika Road troops bamboozled home team Sir Ali Muslim Club A by 112 runs.

    Satyalaksh smacked a cool 122 off 80 balls made of 13 boundaries and 5 sixes! Ruaraka skipper and opener Nitish Hirani knocked 58 off 71 deliveries as Brian Likavu top scored for Sir Ali A with a similar run score of 58 off 39; with 4 boundaries and 4 sixes.

    Ruaraka won the toss and opted to bat first, scoring 330 for 6 in their allocated 50 overs. In reply, Sir Ali A was bowled out in 36.2 overs. The defending champions are off to a flyer and will hope to continue with their form as they embark on defending the league title.

    KANBIS GORE SIKHS—

    Veteran player Rakep Patel hit a 96-ball century as former champion Kanbis A defeated home side Sikh Union A by 76 runs.

    Kanbis won the toss and smacked 266 for 8 in 50.0 overs. In reply, the Sikhs were bowled out for 190 in 39.2 overs. At one point, Kanbis batting was struggling but as has been the case for years now, the crisis man Rakep Patel stepped in and not only rescued the batting but struck a brilliant century to propel his team to a defendable total.

    Sikh Union skipper Sukhdeep Singh was the match’s second highest scorer with 47 off 56 balls. Kanbis’ Smit Patel was in imperious form as he took 5 wickets as Sikh’s Kara Ambrish racked up three wickets.

    The League continues next weekend with Gymkhana A, Stray Lions A and coming in for their opening matches. Ruaraka, who struggled in the T20 season have shown no signs of rust in the League opener. The Thika Road side now sits on the NCCA 50-Overs League summit with 4 points and a loftier Net Run Rate of 2.240 ahead of Ngara A (NRR 1.840) also with 4 points. Kanbis trails the top two on Net Run Rate.

    Meanwhile, Ruaraka B took an early lead in Division One which had five matches on the card at the weekend. Ruaraka B beat Sir Ali B by 7 wickets at Ruaraka Sports Club to stay ahead of the pack with zest and vigor.

    Division One results

    1. Ruaraka B beat Sir Ali B by 7 wickets (RUARAKA SPORTS CLUB)
    2. Samaj B beat Gymkhana B by 6 wickets (SAMAJ, NAIROBI WEST)
    3. Swamibapa B beat Ngara B by 16 runs (NGARA SC)
    4. Obuya Cricket Academy A beat Legends CC A by 6 wickets (LENANA SCHOOL) 5. Kenya Kongonis A beat Wolves A by 9 wickets (NAIROBI CLUB)

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Hitayezu holds steady to win NCBA Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ 

    Hitayezu holds steady to win NCBA Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ 

    Jean D’Amour Hitayezu of Kigali Golf Resort & Villas held his nerve in the final round to win the NCBA Coast Open ‘Barry Cup’ with a three-round total of 210 (-3) as the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship culminated  at Mombasa Golf Club.

    Hitayezu finished two shots clear of Nakuru Golf Club’s John Kamaisi, the current leader on the KAGC rankings, who carded 212 (-1) after rounds of 65, 73 and 74. Despite setting the pace early with an opening-round 65, Kamaisi could not maintain the momentum over the final two rounds, allowing Hitayezu to take control on the last day.

    Elvis Muigua of Windsor Golf Hotel & Country Club finished third on 217 (+4), with Wasim Ali of Vet Lab Sports Club fourth on 219 (+6) and Josphat Rono of Golf Park Golf Club fifth on 220 (+7).

    Hitayezu’s victory lifted him to 11th in the 2026 KAGC rankings with 342 points, while Kamaisi continues to lead 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.

    2026 NCBA Coast Open Barry Cup winner Jean Damour Hitayezu,middle, poses with KGU Chairman Brian Akun,left, and KGU Executive Committee Member James Gitonga

    Attention now shifts to the highly anticipated Kenya Swing tournaments, beginning with the Limuru Open & Brackenhurst Trophy at Limuru Country Club from 17 to 19 July, followed by the Kenya Amateur Stroke Play Championship at Royal Nairobi Golf Club from 23 to 26 July, before concluding with the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship from 30 July to 2 August.

    The events are expected to play a decisive role in the race for the KAGC title, with valuable World Amateur Golf Ranking and Order of Merit points on offer as players battle for supremacy in the second half of the season.

    Wllie Kwamba grabs Kitale Golf Club’s Mug Trophy

    Meanwhile the  NCBA Golf Series continued over the weekend with Kitale Golf Club’s Monthly Mug serving as the latest qualifying event for the Grand Finale.

    Playing off handicap 21, Willie Kwambai emerged as the overall winner after carding 67 nett, while Wilson Wafula claimed the gross winner title with 78 gross. Patrick Shikuku won Division One with 71 nett off handicap 11, while Nick Mwai and Margaret Wabuge won Divisions Two and Three with 68 nett and 71 nett, respectively.

    Kwambai, Wafula, Shikuku, Mwai and Wabuge have earned their spots for the NCBA Golf Series Grand Finale, set for Karen Country Club on 28 November.

    Action in the series continues in the same region with the Nyanza Golf Club Mug giving golfers another chance to book qualification slots on 18 July.