Grandmaster Allan Oyende successfully defended his title at the East, Central and Southern Africa Scrabble Championships (ECASA), leading the national team, Word Warriors, to overall victory.
The three-day championships held in Lusaka turned into a Kenyan sweep, with players from Kenya claiming the top three positions.
The Kenya One player won 19 out of 27 games to secure the individual title, his fifth championship win since the tournament’s inception 22 years ago. He previously claimed the title in 2014 and 2018 (both in Zambia), 2022 in Jinja, 2024 in Nairobi, and now again in Zambia.
He credited his success to disciplined preparation and a deep mastery of words, highlighting the importance of consistent participation in local leagues and tournaments.
“I have been playing in many local leagues and tournaments in preparation for this event, and it has paid off,” Oyende said.
The Stima Club player led fellow Kenyans to a dominant finish, with former Scrabble Kenya chairman Bernard Amuke finishing second and team captain Willy Mwangi taking third place.
Uganda’s Godwin Murungi finished fourth, while Zambia’s Isaac Mwape placed fifth.
Team Kenya also retained the overall team title, underscoring their dominance in the region. Captain Mwangi attributed the victory to strong teamwork and consistent competition in Kenya’s monthly leagues.
“The team’s performance was exceptional, taking the top three positions and individual honors. We came well prepared to fly the Kenyan flag,” he said.