Six Kenyan Scrabble players are gearing up to represent Kenya in the World English Scrabble Players Association Championships (WESPAC) in the United States from July 22-26.
The team, led by Kenya One’s Allan Oyende, is currently participating in the Scrabble Kenya national tournament in Eldoret to prepare for the upcoming event.
The other members of the team are Willy Mwangi, Philip Mutinda, Martins Mutahi, Michael Gongolo, and Gitonga Nderitu, who led Kenya to win back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995.
Nderitu expressed confidence in the team’s preparations and said they are determined to reclaim the lost glory and win the title.
The two-day tournament started on Saturday and will end on Sunday. In addition to the players, world champion Wellington Jighere and Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) president Adekoyejo Adegbesan, as well as Ugandan Edgar Odongkara, are also attending the event.
Adegbesan highlighted Kenya’s talent in Scrabble and urged supporters to ensure the sport’s growth. He noted that Kenya is the second-best Scrabble-playing country in Africa, after Nigeria.
