• ESPORTS

• Sportsbeat Correspondent 5 months ago

Young gamers shine as Kenya Esports Series opens with surprises in Nakuru

The Kenya Esports Series began on a high note in Nakuru over the weekend, where new and relatively unknown gamers stole the spotlight at the opening leg dubbed the Flamingo Series.

The event, held at the Old Nakuru Town Hall, drew a large crowd of gaming enthusiasts and set the tone for what promises to be an exciting national circuit leading up to the finals in December.

In one of the biggest surprises of the day, 19-year-old Daniel Kibiwot stunned veteran gamer Francis Imbuga with a convincing 6-2 victory in the eFootball console final.

The win not only earned Kibiwot his first major title but also signaled a new wave of young talent ready to challenge Kenya’s top players.

“I dedicate this win to my parents because they have always encouraged me to show my talent,” said Kibiwot. “This is just my first step. My goal is to represent Kenya in the Olympic Esports Games 2027, which I know I am capable of.”

The youth dominance continued in the EA FC Open category, where Abraham Odhiambo narrowly edged out David Owuor 3-2 in a thrilling final.

In the eFootball Mobile contest, rising star Jacob Deng defeated the experienced Nicodemus Mwendwa 2-1 in another tense showdown.

“I am very happy to win my first tournament,” Deng said after his victory. “I believed I could do it. My opponents underrated me because I was new, but now I want to go on and win the national title.”

The women’s EA FC 26 category saw a familiar face triumph, as top seed Hannah Gamer successfully defended her crown with a 4-2 win over Nancy Fraulen.

The confident champion expressed her gratitude and optimism for the growing inclusivity of the sport.

“I knew the pressure would be on me to deliver because I am the best in my city,” she said. “I just kept my cool and stuck to the plan. I thank the federation for taking this competition beyond Nairobi and giving girls a platform to compete.”

Esports Kenya President Ronny Lusigi hailed the emergence of new stars, describing the Nakuru leg as a major success.

“We are very pleased to see new talents coming through,” he said. “It shows that Kenya has a wide pool of gifted gamers, and this is why we are taking the series to the grassroots. Nakuru has set a great example that we hope the other legs will follow.”

The podium finishers from all categories have now qualified for the National Finals, set for December 12 in Nairobi. The Kenya Esports Series now heads to Eldoret for the second leg, known as the Rift Series, scheduled for October 18.