Kenya to host inaugural African Rafting Championships in Sagana

By Wanderi Kamau

Kenya is set to make history as it prepares to host the first-ever African Rafting Championships, a continental event scheduled to take place between July 14 and 20, 2025, at the scenic Rapids Camp in Riandira, Sagana, near the majestic Kirengete Falls in Kirinyaga County.

The groundbreaking event will bring together rafting teams from across the continent, including Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda, among others.

The competition is being organized under the auspices of the Kenya Rafting Federation and is expected to elevate Kenya’s status as a premier destination for water sports in Africa.

According to Mr Sammy Kanyuira, the Kenya National Rafting Team Manager, the team has been preparing intensively for the past month to ensure they are ready to take on their continental rivals.

The event is not only the first of its kind in Kenya but also a landmark moment for the entire continent.

Continental teams to face off

Speaking to journalists on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at the training venue, Kanyuira urged Kenyans to show up in large numbers and rally behind the national team as they represent the country on an international stage.

“The Kenya team is well prepared and has been camping at this area for the past one month,” Kanyuira told Newsflash.

Mr Sammy Kanyuira, the Kenya National Rafting Team Manager. Photo/Newsflash

“The team is well versed with the course. We appeal to our fans to come and cheer our Kenyan team, which will be up against other teams like Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and a number of African countries which will participate,” he said.

Kanyuira emphasized the significance of the event not just as a competition, but also as an opportunity to introduce more Kenyans to the sport of rafting, which is still relatively new in the region.

“This is a challenging moment as it is the first time in Africa that we are doing these championships courtesy of the Kenya Rafting Federation, which has this event,” he said.
“It is an exciting moment for us as Kenyans to host these championships so that we can be able to showcase what our young men and women can do in sports.”

Martin Mwiti, one of the members of the Kenyan team. Photo/Newsflash

The manager also highlighted the area’s natural beauty as a unique backdrop for the competition, calling on local and international spectators to attend.

“For our guests, we have beautiful landscapes – the river and the fall have serenic views that you can enjoy as you watch the sport next week,” he noted.
“We welcome everybody to come and watch this exciting event – the first one in Africa, Kenya and this part of the world.”

Kenyan team expresses confidence

Members of the Kenyan rafting team, who have been training rigorously at the camp site, expressed confidence in their readiness and unity.

The local athletes see the competition not only as a chance to win but also as a platform to inspire future generations and promote water sports in Kenya.

Members of the Kenya Women Rafting Team, which will participate in the championships. Photo/Newsflash

Speaking to Newsflash, Martin Mwiti, one of the team’s members, underscored the importance of the event and what it means for the players involved.

“It’s a great honor to be part of the Kenyan team taking part in the African championships. I really love the training and how we are as a team,” said Mwiti.
“This is a great resource for us as Kenyans. This is a chance for us to expose ourselves to the world,” added Mwiti, who is also pursuing a degree in Sports at Kenyatta University.

As the countdown to the championships begins, excitement continues to build in Sagana and across the country.

The event is expected to attract not only sports enthusiasts but also tourists and adventure lovers keen to experience the adrenaline-fueled world of whitewater rafting against the backdrop of Kenya’s breathtaking landscapes.