American professional golfer Brandon Wu enjoys the safari at Nairobi National Park. The familiarization tour by Kenya Tourism Board aims at enabling top international golfers experience Kenya’s unique tourism offerings.

By DANIELLA APIYO AND AMANDA DAMARIS

The Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is capitalizing on this year’s edition of Magical Kenya Open (MKO) to enhance the country’s global tourism appeal.

KTB earlier today treated top international golfers to a Safari at the Nairobi National Park, as part of efforts to highlight the country’s unique wildlife and scenic attractions ahead of the weekend tournament.

KTB CEO June Chepkemei says Kenya is once again on the global map as a golfing destination and noted the opportunity has enabled the country to position itself for sports tourism.

“We are keen to capitalize on this growing popularity by leveraging the Magical Kenya Open. Participating international players will have the opportunity to experience Kenya’s unique tourism offerings, including a visit to Nairobi National Park for a game drive to sample Magical Kenya’s unmatched beauty as some have done today,” noted Chepkemei.

She added, “Immersing our guests, especially those that have an international appeal in the allure of Kenya’s tourism experiences is key to cultivating lasting impressions. These tailored experiences not only elevate our profile as a premier golf destination but also cultivate brand ambassadors who can authentically share the magic of Kenya with the world.”

Brandon Wu from the United States, who was among the golfers on an early morning game drive at Nairobi National Park, described the experience as truly unforgettable. “This has been an amazing experience, especially in the morning with the amazing sunrise. The beauty, the calmness of the trees and landscapes, and the sight of animals in their natural habitat made it so special.

He added, “Seeing lions up close and watching giraffes and zebras crossing the road right in front of us was an incredible moment I’ll never forget. I feel so excited and blessed to be in Kenya to play golf in Kenya. This is my first time in Africa, and just being here is an amazing experience.”

Chepkemei stated that the players serve as unique destination ambassadors who can tell their stories especially to friends and fans from their countries of origin.

“Hosting globally televised competitions like the Magical Kenya Open provides great exposure for our country. We intend to capitalize on the spotlight by showcasing our first-class tourism offerings. Our unique landscapes, abundant wildlife and rich culture make Kenya a dream destination for travellers seeking adventure. We look forward to welcoming more visitors and sharing our treasures with the world,” Chepkemei stated.

The KTB CEO emphasized the need to maximize the tourism benefits of the sporting events through strategic partnerships and engagements with key stakeholders.

“We are working closely with the Ministry of Sports and other partners to optimize synergies and ensure that these sporting events have a lasting impact on the tourism landscape. Recently, we held engagement sessions with our travel trade partners and sports industry stakeholders to explore ways to enhance the tourism appeal of such events. We are excited to see the tangible outcomes of these collaborations,” Chepkemei remarked.

The Magical Kenya Open which is scheduled for February 20th to 23rd at the Muthaiga Golf Club in Nairobi will feature over 150 players from more than 30 countries, competing for a prize purse of $2.5 million (approximately Ksh 322.5 million). This prestigious tournament plays a crucial role in promoting Kenya as a premier golfing destination while also marketing the country as a top-tier travel destination to the global tourism market, which consists of approximately 9.1 million travellers, 10% of whom are traveling golfers.

Thirteen Kenyan professional golfers have qualified for the tournament, including seasoned players Dismas Indiza and Greg Snow.

International participants include Johannes Veerman (USA), Ángel Hidalgo (Spain), and defending champion Darius Van Driel (Netherlands) who will be returning to defend his title.

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.