The road to the 2026 Africa Scrabble Championships (ASC) begins this weekend in Nairobi, with Scrabble Kenya hosting the opening leg from January 10–11.
With the national team, the Word Warriors, the national Scrabble Kenya team gearing up for the continental championships, Daniel Machanje said top players are expected to battle it out for qualification slots to the ASC finals set for Monrovia, Liberia.
This year’s calendar has been expanded to include secondary schools, who are expected to field a strong team at the Federation of East Africa Secondary Schools Sports Association (FEASSSA) games scheduled for August in Tanzania.
“This is a national opening tournament and we expect a big turnout. We are targeting about 100 players competing across Divisions A, B and C,” said Machanje.
He explained that Division A will be World English Scrabble Players Association (WESPA) rated, while Divisions A and B will also carry Pan African Scrabble Association (PANASA) rating points.
“As hosts, we are well prepared. Our group, the Geeks, has successfully hosted several high-profile tournaments. We expect over 100 players to compete for a chance to book their place in Liberia,” he added.
Defending champion Allan Oyende will be aiming to retain his title as the 2026 season gets underway.
Scrabble Kenya 2026 Calendar
- Nairobi – January 10–11
- Kitui – February 7–8
- Murang’a – March 7–8
- Lusaka, Zambia (ECASA) – April 3–5
- Kisumu – May 11–12
- Nakuru – June 6–7
- Mombasa – July 4–5
- Nairobi – August 1–2
- Tanzania (FEASSSA) – August 5–7
- Nairobi (WYSC) – August
- Machakos – September 5–6
- Eldoret – October 3–4
- Monrovia, Liberia (ASC)
- Ol Kalou – November 7–8
- Nairobi – December 5–6