Nairobi Kicks Off Road to 2026 Karate World Cup
Kenya will host the Union of African Karate Federations (UFAK) East region championships at the Nyayo National Stadium scheduled for May 28-31st, 2026.
It will be the second time that Kenya will be hosting the four day contest that will see athletes compete in Kata, Kumite and team categories.
The tournament will also be used to select the top athletes for the African Nations Karate Championship in Algiers, Algeria on September 7–13, 2026where the continental showpiece will serve as a qualifier for Karate World Cup in Hangzhou, China, from November 20–22, 2026, bringing together the world’s best teams, the Karate World Cup will serve as a powerful conclusion to the year.
Fourteen have confirmed their participation and include hosts Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Somalia, Tanzania, Mauritius, Rwanda, South Sudan, Eritrea, Madagascar, Comoros, Sudan and Seychelles.
The Kenya Karate Federation (KKF) president Engineer Richard Binga said they were ready to host the regional event that was last hosted in Nairobi in the year 2022.
The Nairobi championship will also attract some of the sport’s most influential figures, including the President of the Union of African Karate Federations, the Vice President of the World Karate Federation, the Chairman of the WKF Referee Commission, the Chairman of the UFAK Referee Commission, and the Head of the UFAK Technical Commission — underlining the growing stature of Kenya as a destination for major international sporting events.
Beyond the fierce competition, the championship will serve as an important developmental platform for karate in Africa. Specialized UFAK coaches and referees’ courses, seminars, and examinations will be conducted alongside the event to strengthen officiating standards and build technical capacity across the continent.
The federation’s Secretary General James Gikonyo said they conducted trials last weekend at the Prisons Staff Training College (PSTC) and selected the squad.
“Our team is ready to rumble and are intending to win to improve on our second place finish in Ethiopia where we scooped 10 gold, nine silver and one bronze medal to top the region,” he said.
Kenya under the tutelage of KKF assistant Technical Director Stephen Wesonga has selected the squad which includes;
Cadets
Januarys Wambua, Allan Gitonga, Jackson Sila, Veronica Wanjiru, Loley. Wambui, Eliza Kahindi
Juniors.
Collins Ngugi, Bonie Muriithi, Dennis Macharia, Joshua Otieno, Flavin Kemunto, Faith Wanjiku, Janet Washington, Margaret Nyevu, Gloria Kanini
Seniors kata female
Mercy Mwangi, Georgina Kanini, Beatrice Mkaburi
Male kata
Julius Muya, Ben Kihachu, Daniel Vaati, David Ngati
Kumite female
Rose Wanjiku, Anna Bonsensera, Fatuma Mohamed, Sevalyn Wekesa, Lydia Ooko, Helida Otieno, Sharon Nzisa, Mercy Nyambura, Happiness Nyagate
Male kumite
John Thuo, John Kimani, Vincent Mboya, Eugine Obunde, Joshua Macharia, Collins Obange, Francis Wamukui, Calvin Sills, Andrew Ochieng, Derrick Makoha, Moses Okeyo, Patrick Mangale, Omar Ibrahim, Giborm Juma, Mike Muoka, Martin Maina, Sankara Thomas, Yabesh Ogeto, Martin Maina