Naomi Wafula in action during the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing/HANDOUT Kenya’s golf scene has reached a significant milestone, with Njoroge Kibugu and Naomi Wafula securing full playing cards on the Sunshine Tour and Sunshine Ladies Tour.
This marks the first time Kenyan golfers have qualified directly for the circuits.
Their success is the result of both personal dedication and structured support from the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat.
Since 2021, the Secretariat has worked to address longstanding challenges in the sport, including limited funding, inadequate training, and minimal exposure to high-level competition.
Through the Social Pillar, the programme has provided financial sponsorship, travel and training facilitation, performance incentives, and branding support.
A wider pool of golfers, including Mutahi Kibugu, Dismas Indiza, Eric Ooko, Samuel Njoroge, Simon Ngige, and regional players participating in events such as the Kenya Open and Savannah Classic, have also benefited.
The duo’s rise was aided by the Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing, co-hosted by Kenya for the first time.
Regular exposure to elite tournaments has improved Kenya’s standing in global rankings. Wafula’s rapid progression from junior golfer to tour card holder represents a notable development in women’s golf, and is expected to encourage greater female participation.
Partnerships with NCBA Bank, Absa Bank Kenya, Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL), and several academies and clubs have been key to building a comprehensive golf development system through investments in tournaments, junior programmes, facilities, and athlete support.
Kibugu and Wafula’s achievements are seen as a turning point for Kenyan golf, heralding a new era that could establish the nation as a growing hub for professional golf in Africa.
