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  • Sportsbeat Correspondent 1 year ago

Kisumu catches Esports fever as gaming tournament takes shape

Kisumu catches Esports fever as gaming tournament takes shape

Kisumu is set to become the epicenter of competitive gaming this December as the highly anticipated Kisumu FC 2025 Esports Gaming Tournament unfolds at the House of Pain in Manyatta Slums. 
Scheduled for Saturday, the tournament is expected to bring together close to 100 gamers from across Kenya and beyond, competing for glory and prizes in a high-stakes showdown. 
Tournament Director Kevin Wambua confirmed that over 20 gamers from the Nyanza and Western regions have already registered, with more sign-ups expected before the event starts. 
Wambua said the tournament is part of a larger vision to transform Kisumu into a gaming hub and to tap into the immense potential of the esports industry. 
“Our focus is on nurturing and commercialising gaming talent in Kisumu,” said Wambua.
“This tournament is an opportunity to showcase local skills and demonstrate that esports is not just a pastime but a lucrative industry that can create jobs and opportunities for young people.”
Despite the meticulous planning, Wambua highlighted the need for more support from sponsors to elevate the tournament.
“Gaming is a multibillion-dollar industry that remains largely untapped in Kenya, especially in regions like Nyanza and Western. We are calling on sponsors to partner with us to help unlock the potential of esports in this part of the country,” he added. 
Some of the top gamers to watch at the tournament include local stars with usernames such as Vokhe Mbweha, Cliff Terminator, Kevo Oppo aka Chiang Chiang, Vanty aka Glich, and Raul. 
They will be joined by other notable competitors, including King Karamor from Nigeria, George the Terminator’s Terminator, Speet, Bongez CK, Babab Voss, and Kratos, among others. 
Kevo Oppo, one of Kisumu’s most popular gamers, shared his enthusiasm for the tournament and the intense preparations he has undertaken ahead of the festive competition. 
“I’ve been putting in a lot of time perfecting my skills. This tournament is not just about winning for me—it’s about proving that Kisumu can compete on a national and international level,” said Kevo, also known as Chiang Chiang in the gaming world. 
However, Wambua didn’t hold back on criticising the Esports Federation of Kenya  for its lack of support for gamers from regions outside Nairobi. 
“We have the talent here in Kisumu, but we lack the backing from the federation to create more opportunities. Their focus has mostly been on the capital city, and that needs to change,” he said. 
Responding to the concerns, Esports Federation of Kenya President Ronny Mamba acknowledged the importance of regional tournaments and reiterated the federation’s commitment to growing esports nationwide.
 
“Esports Kenya appreciates the great efforts that video gaming communities across the country are putting in to organize competitions, which contribute immensely to the growth of esports. As a new federation, we are steadily expanding beyond Nairobi, as seen in our work in Mombasa and Nakuru this year.
“In 2025, we plan to reach more regions, including Kisumu. Our primary focus will be on sensitisation and training because building capacity is how we empower players and communities,” Mamba said.
The Kisumu FC 2025 Esports Gaming tournament promises an exciting showcase of talent, with organisers hopeful that it will ignite a new era of gaming culture and opportunities in Kisumu and beyond.
 
Kenyan gamers in action during a past tournament. PHOTO: Courtesy, Esports Federation of Kenya

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