Who will be crowned 2025 Kenya National Chess Champion?
Report by Wambugu Wandina.
Dates – 26th–31st December
Venue – Chess Kenya Offices
Format : Round Robin
The stage is set. Eleven of Kenya’s finest chess gladiators are heading into the ultimate battlefield the 2025 Kenya National Chess Championship, a fierce Round Robin where every move counts and every game could redefine history.
Meet the elite contenders.
1️⃣ CM Robert Mcligeyo (Rated 2113 – Highest Rated)
2024 Kenya National Championship & a fearless tactician known for explosive attacks and creative play. He enters the arena as the highest rated player in the field. He seeks to defend his title and drive home his second car. Will this be the time ? Only time will tell.
2️⃣ Kuka Kyle (Rated 1943 – 2025 Kenya National Junior Champion)
A rising star with maturity beyond his years. Fresh from conquering the junior circuit, he now steps onto the senior battlefield. The big question, can the youth shake the kingdom?
3️⃣ Gohil Mehul (Rated 2006 – Rank 1 Grand Prix Circuit)
2014, 2019, and 2022 Kenya National Champion, owning a fleet of cars courtesy of Chess Kenya, has dominated the grand Prix Circuit qualifiers to take top rank.
He’s coming for the title, quiet but dangerous aiming for another car to his garage.
4️⃣ FM Simiyu Jadon (Rated 2056 – Rank 2 Grand Prix Circuit)
Known for his composure under pressure and clinical endgames, Jadon has been on a remarkable upward trajectory having attained the FM title at just 13 years of age. Expect calculated mastery in every round.
5️⃣ CM Ben Magana (Rated 2036 – Rank 3 Grand Prix Circuit)
Three time Kenya National Champion (2006, 2013, & 2017), & a legendary name in Kenyan chess experience personified. Magana brings decades of mastery and deep positional understanding. Never count out a veteran who knows the battlefield better than anyone.
6️⃣ Njoroge Martin (Rated 1944 – Rank 4 Qualifier)
2021 Kenya National Champion who came in walking but drove away with a car is a Sharp, dynamic, and unpredictable in style. Martin’s fighting spirit makes him one of the most dangerous dark horses.
7️⃣ Kenneth Omolo (Rated 1972 – Rank 5 Grand Prix)
A solid strategist with excellent tournament discipline. Omolo thrives in long formats like this Round Robin battle. Consistency will be his key weapon.
8️⃣ Kaloki Hawi (Rated 2069 – Rank 6 Grand Prix Circuit)
One of the most naturally gifted attackers in the field. Hawi’s games are always fireworks waiting to explode. He enters as a major contender with real championship potential.
9️⃣ Dr. Irungu Brian (Rated 1959 – Rank 7 Grand Prix Circuit)
A deep thinker with strong analytical precision. Dr. Irungu’s calm approach hides a fierce competitive fire. Expect solid, clinical, and intelligent chess.
🔟 Boera Felix (Rated 1982 – Rank 8 Grand Prix)
A player who loves complex, tactical positions. Felix thrives in chaos ,and championships often thrive on exactly that. He’s here to disrupt and conquer.
1️⃣1️⃣ Shile Lenny Mataiga (Rated 1870 – Rank 9 Grand Prix)
Determined, resilient, and hungry for breakthrough success. Lenny enters as the underdog with everything to gain. These are the moments that create legends.
What’s at stake?
1. A brand-new car for the champion
2. Top five slots for Team Kenya at the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan, 2026
3. Amazing Awards for all the eleven players participating in the Championship.
Wambugu Wandina
Wambugu Wandina is a renown Kenyan FIDE Arbiter and active chess player with a strong passion for modern chess transmission technologies, particularly through DGT boards and Id Chess broadcasting solutions. He also enjoy writing and telling compelling chess stories, using every platform available to help grow and promote the game.
Article by Kenya Chess Masala.
