Kenyan second Seed Scrabble player Allan Oyende has seized the initiative on day one of the 14th edition of East, Central and Southern Africa (ECASA) Scrabble championships in Livingstone, Zambia.
Oyende guided the Word Warriors, the Kenya National team as they try to defend their individual and overall title.
In a tough field, day one ended with a 4 way tie o n 8 wins with Oyende (8 +1031) outspreading Zambian top seed Patrick Mpundu (8 +741) South Africa’s Gwen Rea(8 +669) & teammate Nicholas Mbugua (8 +616).
Top seed Gitonga Nderitu is a point back on 7 +1051
Kenya is on course to defend the team title with 6 in top 10
Kenya’s Wenwa Akinyi at 9th is the best female player.
Day one standing
1. Allan Oyende (KEN)
2. Patrick Mpundu (ZAM)
3. Gwen Really (S.A)
4. Nicholas Mbugua (KEN)
5. Mwenya Munkonge (ZAB)
6. Nderitu Gitonga (KEN)
7. Muema Muumbi (KEN)