KCB highlight milestones achieved in powering Kenya’s sporting future
Reading Time: 4min | Wed. 20.05.26. | 20:45
In 2025, the institution has supported over 160 athletes in football, rugby, volleyball, golf, chess, athletics, and motorsports
KCB Group has continued to strengthen its position as one of East Africa’s leading corporate investors in sports, using various sports disciplines as a platform for youth empowerment, talent development, and community transformation.
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In 2025 alone, the Bank supported over 160 athletes in football, rugby, volleyball, golf, chess, athletics, and motorsports, underscoring a growing commitment to nurturing talent and creating social and economic impact across the region.
Through strategic sponsorships, athlete support programmes, and sports development initiatives, KCB has increasingly positioned itself not just as a financial institution but as a key driver of sporting excellence in Kenya and beyond.
“Our commitment to sports goes beyond sponsorship. We are investing in people, in dreams, and in the future of East Africa. Sports create opportunities, inspire communities, and unite nations. Through these investments, we are building pathways for young talent to thrive while positioning Kenya and the region on the global stage,” said KCB Group CEO Paul Russo.
One of the Bank’s most notable investments in 2025 was in motorsports, with KCB committing KSh209 million to the 2025 WRC Safari Rally. The globally recognized event attracted more than 100 million viewers worldwide, further elevating Kenya’s profile as a leading sporting and tourism destination. Beyond sponsorship, the Bank also supported four local drivers, including Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, Evans Kavisi, and Tinashe Gatimu.
The Bank’s regional sports footprint also extended into Rwanda through BPR Bank Rwanda, which committed Rwf40 million to support four standout drivers during the Kigali leg of the Africa Rally Championship. The sponsorship benefited reigning ARC champion Karan Patel, Nikhil Sachania, Uganda’s Michael Muluka, and Rwanda’s celebrated female rally driver Queen Kalimpinya.
Golf remained another major pillar of KCB’s sports agenda in 2025. The Bank set aside KSh80 million to support the third leg of the KCB East Africa Golf Tour, a regional tournament series that attracted more than 3,000 participants and over 2,000 junior golfers.
The tour has increasingly become a vital platform for identifying emerging golfing talent while promoting regional integration and expanding access to the sport.
In rugby, KCB Rugby Club delivered a stellar season after winning the National Sevens Circuit, having reached the finals of all six legs of the competition. The club claimed titles at Kabeberi 7s, Driftwood 7s, Dala 7s, and Christie 7s, while also reaching the finals of Embu 7s and Prinsloo 7s. The strong performances reinforced KCB’s standing as one of Kenya’s dominant rugby institutions and a benchmark for high performance in the local game.
Beyond club success, the team continued to play a significant role in supplying talent to the national setup, with Vincent Onyala, Floyd Wabwire, Festus Shiasi, Samuel Asati and George Ooro earning national team call-ups for the Safari Sevens, where Kenya emerged overall winners.
“We have created a culture that prioritizes discipline, consistency, and player development. KCB has provided athletes with an environment where they can grow, compete, and unlock their full potential. Our focus is not just on winning titles, but on building a strong pipeline of talent capable of representing Kenya at the highest level,” said KCB Rugby Head Coach Andrew Amonde.
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The Bank also made significant strides in chess development, particularly among young players. Emerging talents such as Shukri Shakira, Hawi Kaloki, Elizabeth Cassidy, and Robert McLigeyo continued to rise through the ranks and establish themselves as formidable competitors.
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Cassidy won the Africa Girls Under-14 Championship held in Zimbabwe, while Jadon Simiyu emerged as the 2025 Kenya National Champion. Their achievements were amplified through media features, interviews, and digital storytelling campaigns that highlighted resilience, teamwork, and ambition. By linking these stories to its brand, KCB strengthened its image as a champion of youth empowerment, strategic thinking, and long-term talent development.
Athletics, Kenya’s globally celebrated sport, also benefited from KCB’s growing sports investment strategy. The Bank injected KSh8 million into Athletics Kenya to support key competitions on the national calendar, including the National Athletics Championships and trials for the World Athletics Championships.
The sponsorship helped provide athletes with a competitive platform to prepare for global assignments while strengthening the country’s athletics ecosystem.
Through its investments across multiple sporting disciplines, KCB has continued to demonstrate that sports can serve as a powerful vehicle for social transformation, economic empowerment, and national pride.