Safaricom has committed Ksh10 million for the 2026 Magical Kenya Open golf tournament, the organization announced ahead of the tournament set for this year.
The tournament is scheduled for Thursday, February 19th, through Sunday, February 22nd, at the Karen Country Club.
The Ksh10 million sponsorship package comprises Ksh9 million for technology and connectivity services and Ksh1 million for the Beat the Pro challenge, where junior golfers get the chance to compete against the professional golfers.
As the official technology and connectivity sponsor of the 2026 Magical Kenya Open golf tournament, Safaricom will provide high-speed internet connectivity services.
Safaricom CEO Peter Ndegwa said that the organization has committed itself to the golf tournament for 18 years now.
“For 18 years, we’ve stood with the 2026 Magical Kenya Open. This partnership underscores our dedication to developing talent and expanding golf in Kenya,” he said.
The organization also committed itself to the growth of golfers in the country through the Beat the Pro challenge.
Beat the Pro is an innovation of the Magical Kenya Open golf tournament that allows junior golfers the opportunity to compete against the professional golfers.
The tournament allows the junior golfers the chance to play on the same course as the professional golfers, a rare opportunity for the junior golfers.
Aside from the main competition, Safaricom has also been supporting local golfers through the Professional Golfers of Kenya Equator Tour, an initiative that helps local professional golfers qualify to participate in bigger championships like the 2026 Magical Kenya Open.
This year’s Magical Kenya Open will attract 144 players from all over the world, with 15 of them being locals, 10 of whom are professional golfers, and five amateurs, all vying to win some of the total prize money of $2.7 million.
Defending his title will be South African professional Jacques Kruyswijk, who won the competition last year at Muthaiga Golf Club. Past winners Darius Van Driel, Jorge Campillo, and Wu Ashun are also expected to participate in the competition.
Some of the professional golfers expected to participate in the competition include Safaricom-sponsored Samuel Chege, Mutahi Kibugu, Greg Snow, David Wakhu, Njoroge Kibugu, Dismas Indiza, Daniel Nduva, Edwin Mudanyi, CJ Wangai, and Jastas Madoya, among others, most of whom qualified to participate in the competition following their impressive performances in the PGK Equator Tour, which concluded in January at Royal Nairobi Golf Club.
Top amateurs and juniors such as Michael Karanga, Lejirma John, Jay Sandhu, Shashwat Harish and Junaid Manji are also expected to feature.
The 2026 Magical Kenya Open is part of the DP World Tour calendar and continues to attract top international golfers while giving Kenyan players a chance to compete on a global stage. The tournament also helps market Kenya as a leading destination for major sporting events.
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