Absa Bank Kenya MD & CEO Abdi Mohamed signs the cheque for the sponsorship of the Magical Kenya Open where the bank committed a sponsorship of KES. 60 million towards Magical Kenya Open set to take place from February 20 – 23, 2025. Looking on are (L-R) Absa Bank Kenya Consumer Banking Director Moses Muthui, Magical Kenya Open Tournament Director Patrick Obath, State Department of Sports Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum, Kenya Open Golf Limited Chairman Peter Kanyago, and Absa Bank Kenya CFO Yusuf Omari.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Absa Bank Kenya PLC has announced a KES60 million investment in the 2025 Magical Kenya Open (MKO), cementing its position as the largest private sector sponsor of the prestigious golf tournament for 14 years.

The 56th edition of the Magical Kenya Open presented by Absa is set to tee off from 20th to 23rd February at the lush green Muthaiga Golf Course. The bank reaffirms its commitment to growing the sport and supporting Kenya’s position as a leading golf destination.

As part of the sponsorship, Absa has allocated KES 40 million to support the local organising committee through Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL). This investment aims to ensure the successful execution of the tournament, while the remaining amount will enhance promotional efforts and create exclusive experiences for fans and stakeholders, ultimately delivering a world-class event.

Speaking during the announcement ceremony, Absa Bank Kenya PLC’s Managing Director & CEO, Abdi Mohamed, highlighted the bank’s enduring commitment to nurturing sports in the country. He emphasised the significant role sports plays in society, particularly in empowering individuals and communities to realise their ambitions.

“At Absa, our purpose is to empower Africa’s tomorrow together…one story at a time. Through our sponsorships, we showcase the undeniable socio-economic impact of sports. These initiatives boost tourism, create jobs, and invigorate local economies, illustrating our commitment to sustainable growth and community empowerment.”

He added: “Beyond the swing, the influx of attendees from around the world bolsters our hospitality and transport sectors, benefiting small businesses and local communities. This ripple effect directly enhances our economy. Moreover, the Magical Kenya Open showcases Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to a global audience, proving it’s always more than just golf; it’s about the stories that matter, because to us, every story matters.”

The Magical Kenya Open is a premier event in sub-Saharan Africa, part of the DP World Tour, and has significantly contributed to establishing Kenya as a global destination for golfing and sports tourism. This year’s tournament will host 144 elite golfers worldwide, including eight professional and two amateur golfers representing Kenya.

They will compete over four exciting rounds for a share of the remarkable KES322.5 million (USD 2.5 million) prize purse. The Kenyan professionals participating include Njoroge Kibugu, Greg Snow, David Wakhu, Samuel Njoroge, Dismas Indiza, Mohit Mediratta, Riz Charania, and Edwin Mudanyi.

On his part, the Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Eng. Peter Tum said: “As a government, we remain committed to creating an enabling environment for sports organisations to thrive in our country. Our commitment is driven by the fact that sports does not only bring us together as a nation but also enable our youth to pursue their sporting talent. It is for this reason that the government has once again agreed to invest heavily financially in making sure that Kenya hosts the Magical Kenya Open 2025.”

Absa Bank Kenya MD & CEO Abdi Mohamed teeing off at the Muthaiga Golf Club where the bank announced its sponsorship of KES. 60 million to the Magical Kenya Open set to take place from February 20 – 23, 2025. Looking on are (L-R) Magical Kenya Open Tournament Director Patrick Obath, Professional Golfers of Kenya Vice Captain Jeff Kubwa, Absa Bank Kenya Consumer Banking Director Moses Muthui and State Department of Sports Principal Secretary Eng. Peter Tum.

Speaking at the same event, the Kenya Open Golf Limited chairman Peter Kanyago highlighted the tremendous growth of the golfing sport in Kenya over the years, thank to the power of collaboration between the public and private sectors.

“We take pride in the results of our continued partnership with private sector players such as Absa, which are evidenced by the transformation of this tournament from an elitist outlook to a more inclusive family and lifestyle event,” he said.

From humble beginnings, the MKO tournament is today regarded as one of the most important sporting events in Sub-Saharan Africa, putting Kenya on the global map through international broadcast that reaches over 500 million people worldwide. It also serves a patriotic duty of promoting Kenya as a global golfing and sports tourism destination.

Beyond golf, the bank also contributes to athletics through the Absa Kip Keino Classic and the Sirikwa Classic championship. In football, the Absa brand has proudly served as the official banking partner for the Premier League in Africa for over a decade.

Alvin Mbugua, EABL General Manager, Spirits.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), through its premium whisky brand Johnnie Walker, has today announced a KES 40 million sponsorship for the 2025 Magical Kenya Open, reaffirming its long-standing partnership with the tournament.

As part of this sponsorship, Johnnie Walker will serve as the Official Alcohol Beverage Partner for the event, which is a key fixture in the DP World Tour (formerly the European Tour). The 56th edition of the Magical Kenya Open is scheduled to take place from February 20–23, 2025, at the par-71 Muthaiga Golf Club, with a Pro-Am tournament preceding it on February 19.

KBL’s sponsorship will enhance the tournament experience by providing entertainment at the Tournament Village and offering fans a taste of its world-class brands. Additionally, the funding will support Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL) in organizing logistics and ensuring a seamless event.

KBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti signs a Ksh 40m dummy cheque for Johnnie Walker’s sponsorship for the 2025 Kenya Open.

The 2025 Magical Kenya Open remains one of Africa’s most prestigious golf tournaments, drawing elite players from across the globe. This year’s edition will feature 144 professional golfers competing for a prize purse of $2.5 million (approx. KES 320 million).

Speaking at the Johnnie Walker sponsorship presentation at the Kenya Railway Golf Club, KBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti expressed pride in the company’s continued support of the tournament.

“We are proud to renew our partnership with the Magical Kenya Open through our premium spirit brand, Johnnie Walker. As a long-standing supporter of golf in Kenya, we are committed to providing fans with a bespoke and memorable experience at the tournament. We look forward to bringing excitement to the Tournament Village and promise fans an unforgettable time,” said Ocitti.

KOGL Tournament Director Patrick Obath commended KBL for its unwavering support, noting that the sponsorship is critical to the tournament’s success.

“We are delighted to have KBL renew its partnership with the Magical Kenya Open as the Official Alcohol Beverage Sponsor. This sponsorship will assist us in meeting key obligations, including event logistics and prize-giving. The Magical Kenya Open plays a crucial role in positioning Kenya as a premier international tourism and sporting destination. We look forward to welcoming top golfers and urge Kenyans to turn up in large numbers to support their favorites and showcase our country’s hospitality.”

KBL Managing Director Mark Ocitti (L) presents a Ksh 40m sponsorship to KOGL Tournament Director Patrick Obath.

Kenya will field a contingent of eight professional players who secured their place in the tournament through qualifier events organized by the Professional Golfers of Kenya (PGK). They include Njoroge Kibugu, Greg Snow, David Wakhu, Samuel Njoroge, Dismas Indiza, Mohit Mediratta, Riz Charania, and Edwin Mudanyi.

The tournament will also feature a lineup of Kenyan amateur golfers, who have earned their qualification through outstanding performances in various competitions. Leading the pack is Michael Karanga, the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) 2024 Champion, alongside John Lejirma, the KAGC 2024 Runner-Up. William Odek, the Strokeplay Champion, and Uganda’s Michael Alunga, the 2024 Matchplay Champion, will also be flying the Kenyan flag high. Completing the amateur lineup is Shashwat Harish, who qualified as the Top Junior at the NCBA Kenya Invitational 2025 held in January.