Kenya: Elvis Muigua wins Nyanza Hippo Pot in Kisumu with 209 as a new champion emerges

A new name on the trophy in Kisumu

On 18 October 2026, the three-day NCBA Nyanza Open “Hippo Pot” concluded at Nyanza Golf Club in Kisumu, western Kenya. The par-70 event formed part of the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) circuit overseen by the Kenya Golf Union. Elvis Muigua, representing Windsor Golf Hotel and Country Club in Nairobi, emerged as champion. The distinction matters geographically: the tournament was held in Kisumu, not at Muigua's home club.

Muigua compiled rounds of 66, 70 and 73, a total of 209 strokes (one under par). His opening 66, four under par, proved decisive. After matching par in round two, he recorded a three-over 73 on Sunday but still won by two shots. The championship attracted 66 amateur golfers.

A tightly contested leaderboard

Cedric Konzolo of Kakamega Sports Club finished runner-up on 211 (+1), recording 70–71–70. William Odek of Nyali Golf and Country Club was third on 212 (+2), with rounds of 71–71–70. Josphat Rono (Golf Park Golf Club) and Geoffrey Karioki (Kisii Sports Club) shared fourth at 213 (+3). Their contrasting round-by-round routes to the same total underline how competitive the final classification remained.

There was little room for complacency: just three strokes separated first from third. Muigua did not need a late scoring spree. Instead, the advantage constructed on Friday gave him enough room to absorb a difficult final round without surrendering the title.

After Lejirma's run, the title changes hands

The event had previously been associated with John Lejirma, a three-time Hippo Pot winner. Lejirma was absent as defending champion in 2026 after turning professional, opening an opportunity for a different amateur to put his name on the trophy. Muigua capitalised, adding an important national amateur-series victory to his season.

Following the Kisumu event, Muigua stood third in the KAGC standings with 1,074.50 points, behind Jay Sandhu of Muthaiga Golf Club (1,535) and John Kamaisi of Nakuru Golf Club (1,133). These are the standings reported after Nyanza, not final year-end rankings.

The local value of a national amateur event

Julius Omollo, captain of Nyanza Golf Club, highlighted an aspect that can be lost beneath the leaderboards: regional golfers and club caddies had the opportunity to test their skills against experienced amateur competitors. Hosting a KAGC event in Kisumu helps keep a national competitive pathway visible beyond the major clubs of Nairobi.

The result is therefore notable in two ways: a new winner emerged in a long-running tournament, while a western Kenyan venue staged a national event that gave local golfers competitive exposure.

Editorial verification: Independent contemporaneous reports by The Standard (20 October 2026) and Daily Sport Kenya (18 October 2026) agree on the venue, winner and scores. Sources: https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/amp/golf/article/2001560481/muigua-crowned-new-nyanza-hippo-pot-champion ; https://dailysport.co.ke/muigua-victorious-at-nyanza-hippo-pot-open-in-nyanza/

Image note: AI-generated photorealistic editorial illustration; not a documentary photograph of the event. The golfer is fictional, not Elvis Muigua; the setting is illustrative, not an authenticated image of Nyanza Golf Club.