Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) has long been synonymous with sports excellence in Kenya.
Through its unwavering commitment and investment of Sh2.3 billion across various sports disciplines including; rugby, motorsports, football, chess, volleyball, athletics and golf, KCB has not only elevated the country’s sporting landscape but also showcased its dedication to community empowerment.
This hefty investment reflects the bank’s larger corporate citizenship agenda, which seeks to uplift communities by opening doors to opportunities and nurturing talent at all levels.
Through this support, superstars have risen competing in different tournaments locally, regionally and internationally, shining a light on Kenya’s depth of talent.
KCB Rugby Club stands as a beacon of success in Kenya’s macho rugby sport.
Over the years, the bank’s sponsorship has enabled the team to become a dominant force both locally and regionally.
Young players, families and communities have benefited from the support, in alignment with the bank’s brand purpose, “For People, For Better.”
The rugby team boasts an enviable trophy cabinet, having won the prestigious Kenya Cup a record eight times, the Enterprise Cup four times, the National Sevens Circuit on four occasions and an incredible ten Impala Floodlit titles.
Between 2014 and 2022, under the tutelage of former coach Curtis Olago, KCB captured the Kenya Cup five times, cementing their place as a rugby powerhouse.
The only time they did not win during this period was in 2019/2022 after sporting activities were halted due to the Covid-19 pandemic and in 2021/2022 when nemesis Kabras Sugar were crowned champions.
KCB have also dazzled under the Impala Floodlights, clinching the first title in 2005, followed by wins in 2007, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023.
The 2020 and 2021 editions were not held due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The blistering success in local competitions underscores the team’s commitment to excellence and speaks of the plethora of talent within the squad.
Notably, KCB Rugby has also been a breeding ground for stars who have represented Kenya in both the 15s and 7s formats of the game.
Players like Andrew Amonde, Samuel Asati, Vincent Onyala, Festus Shiasi and many others have risen to prominence, with Amonde captaining Kenya’s famous 2016 Singapore Sevens triumph.
Today, Amonde serves as the strength and conditioning coach for KCB Rugby and the Kenya Sevens team.
Apart from him, Samuel Asati has become a mainstay of the 7s side both for his club and the national team.
Others including Darwin Mukidza, Oliver Mang’eni, Oscar Sorano, Curtis Lillako, Festus Shiasi and Elvis Olukusi among others are some of the notable names that have been key in the growth of rugby in Kenya.
With an investment of over Sh400 million in golf sponsorships over the past decade, KCB has significantly contributed to the sport’s growth in Kenya.
By supporting events like the Magical Kenya Ladies Open, the Safari Tour and the Karen Masters, KCB has made golf more accessible and created opportunities for both amateur and professional golfers across East Africa.
The bank’s pinnacle moment in golf sponsorship came in 2017 during the inaugural Karen Masters, a professional tournament that attracted PGA and local pros.
The event was part of the Sunshine Tour in 2018 and 2019, with South Africans Mi chael Palmer and Toto Thimba clinching victories.
Despite the cancellation of subsequent editions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, KCB continued to support the sport through initiatives like the KCB East Africa Golf Tour, which spanned Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
The tour which was an 18-leg amateur series, witnessed tournaments hosted at iconic Kenyan clubs like Vetlab, Eldoret, Limuru, Railway, Kakamega, Nyanza, Thika, Nyeri, Nakuru and the Kericho.
The tour provided an inclusive platform for regional golfers to showcase their talent.
The bank’s efforts have demystified the sport and fostered networking opportunities for stakeholders across the region.
KCB’s foray into motorsports began in 2003 when it took over the sponsorship of the Safari Rally, filling a void left by departing corporate sponsors.
Since then, the bank has invested Sh1.2 billion, making it the single largest and longest-running sponsor in Kenyan motorsports.
The Safari Rally’s reinstatement into the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) in 2021 was a historic moment, with KCB playing a pivotal role as the official financial partner.
Over the past four years, KCB has injected over Sh195 million annually into the rally, supporting local drivers like Karan Patel and Nikhil Sachania.
This year’s WRC Safari Rally featured 18 stages covering 320.19 kilometres, further solidifying Kenya’s position as a global rallying hub. KCB’s chess journey dates back to the late 1980s when pioneers like Isaac Babu, Humphrey Andolo and Joseph Kanyingi.
The trio fueled the team to glory, winning major honours between 1990 and 2000.
To date, the team participates in the Kenya National Chess League, and regional and international competitions.
The team has clinched the Kenya Chess Premier League title eight times, with its most notable achievements including participating in the 44th World Chess Olympiad in Chennai, India, in 2022.
Represented by top talents like Martin Njoroge and Joyce Nyaruai, who both earned the prestigious FIDE Master titles, KCB Chess has become a formidable force on the global stage.
The team also represented East Africa at the inaugural World Rapid Chess Championship in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 2023, showcasing their strategic prowess against the world’s best players.
The 12-round Swiss tournament saw candidate master Benjamin Magana, Robert Mcligeyo, Martin Njoroge, Joseph Methu, Joyce Nyaruai and Isaac Babu, competing for the top honors at the coveted event graced by top chess players in the world.
The KCB Women’s Volleyball Team, established in 1989, currently participates in the Kenya Volleyball Federation (KVF) league, continental competitions and international tournaments.
Under coach Japheth Munala, the team has reclaimed its place at the top, winning the Kenya National League and the African Club Championship after years of waiting.
The team’s defining moment came in 2022 when they ended a 16-year drought to clinch the African Club Championship in Tunisia, defeating record holders Al Ahly in a thrilling final.
The team that bagged the African title in Tunisia was captained by Malkia Striker’s finest Edith Wisa, joined by Mercy Moim, Sharon Jepchumba, Immaculate Nekesa, Mariam Musa, Mildred Cherop, Lincy Jeruto and Shirleen Maiywa among others who displayed their grit to defeat Al Ahly 3-1.
The bankers clinched the Kenya National League title this year after a 15-year wait to mark significant progress of the team.
Before the 2022 African Club Championship triumph, KCB had last won the coveted trophy in 2006 when Paul Bitok was the coach and Mercy Moim captained the side.
In the local scene, before the glory this year, the bankers had last clinched the trophy in 2008 as rivals Kenya Pipeline and Kenya Prisons dominated.
Players like Wisa, Moim, and Jepchumba have not only excelled for KCB but have also represented Kenya on the global stage, further enhancing the country’s volleyball reputation.
