By KPC Reporter
Kenya’s golf calendar is set to gain a significant new addition with the inaugural Invest Kenya Golf Tournament (IKGT), scheduled to tee off on March 27, 2026, at the prestigious Muthaiga Golf Club.
The one-day tournament, to be played in a Stableford format, is expected to attract approximately 200 players drawn from Kenya and abroad.
Participants will include senior corporate leaders, amateur golfers, and selected professional players from Kenya’s fast-growing golf scene, positioning the event as both a competitive sporting fixture and a high-level networking platform.
Hosted at Muthaiga Golf Club—widely regarded as one of Africa’s premier championship courses—the tournament adds a high-profile event to the national golf ecosystem while reinforcing Kenya’s standing as a leading golf destination on the continent. Financial services group Absa is the main sponsor of the inaugural edition.
The Invest Kenya Golf Tournament has been introduced as a strategic side event of the Kenya International Investment Conference (KIICO 2026).
It is designed to serve as the sporting highlight of the conference week, creating a setting where sport, investment dialogue, and international visibility converge.
During the official launch, Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, in remarks delivered by Director of Sports Jackson Indakwa, emphasized the role of sporting events in projecting Kenya’s global image.
“Sport continues to showcase Kenya on the world stage. Initiatives such as the Invest Kenya Golf Tournament strengthen Kenya’s reputation as a destination for major sporting events while supporting the growth of golf locally,” the Cabinet Secretary said, noting that global competitions like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games have historically played a key role in marketing the country internationally.
Beyond competition, the tournament is expected to contribute to the development of golf in Kenya by expanding participation, increasing visibility for local players, and strengthening links between corporate, amateur, and professional golfers. Several prominent figures from Kenya’s business and sporting communities, including leading professional golfers, are expected to take part.
Muthaiga Golf Club Chairman Dennis Mwirigi welcomed Invest Kenya and its partners, noting the Club’s long-standing contribution to Kenya’s international golfing profile.
“Muthaiga Golf Club has hosted over 95 per cent of the Magical Kenya Open tournaments historically. Hosting investors at the Club marks a milestone in aligning sports with national investment objectives,” he said, adding that the new tournament further strengthens Kenya’s position among Africa’s top golf destinations.
Registration for the tournament is ongoing through the KIICO website, with organizers reporting that more than 150 players have already signed up.
The draw is expected to close in early March. Invest Kenya has indicated that the tournament is intended to become an annual fixture on Kenya’s golf calendar.
Invest Kenya Chief Executive Officer John Mwendwa said the event reflects the agency’s broader investment mission.
“Golf provides a setting for sustained interaction, strategic dialogue, and trust-building—values that mirror both sport and long-term investment partnerships,” he said.
The tournament will culminate in a closing awards ceremony marking the official end of KIICO week, bringing together players, sponsors, and stakeholders in a final celebration. Further details on player participation and programme highlights are expected to be announced ahead of the event.