Newly elected Chess Kenya President Andrew has led Kenyans and Chess family in mourning the death of top chess player Hawi Kaloki.
In his condolence message to the public, Owili that it is with profound sadness and a heavy heart that they announce the untimely passing of Kenyan champion, Hawi Kaloki, who passed away yesterday morning.
He said that Hawi was a multiple-time national champion and one of Kenya’s most highly rated chess players.
“In 2024, he attained the position of Kenya’s No. 1 player, having established himself among the country’s elite players with a rating exceeding 2100. He was due to represent Kenya at the upcoming World Chess Olympiad, scheduled to take place from 15 September 2026. His most recent international appearance was as a member of the Kenyan National Team at the Africa Individual Chess Championship in Botswana,” read the statement.
He continued that throughout his career, Hawi represented Kenya with distinction on numerous international stages. His accomplishments included participation in the World Junior Chess Championship in Brazil, the World Youth Chess Championships in Albania in 2025 and Brazil in 2024, as well as several editions of the Africa Youth Chess Championships, where he competed as a reigning National Champion.
“At club level, Hawi was a valued member of the KCB Chess Team in the Kenya National Chess Premier League and a cherished member of Mavens Chess Club. His contribution to the teams he represented, and to Kenyan chess, will be remembered with great appreciation. Beyond his remarkable achievements on the chessboard, Hawi was a beloved family member, friend, teammate, and an inspiration to many. His passion for chess, exceptional talent, humility, and dedication to the game touched the lives of many within and beyond the chess community,” he stated.
He added that his passing is an immense loss to his family, friends, teammates, and the entire Kenyan chess fraternity. We mourn not only a gifted chess player, but also a young life filled with promise and potential.
“At this difficult time, the family has kindly requested privacy as they come to terms with this devastating loss. We ask the entire chess community to respect their wishes and keep the family in our thoughts and prayers. On behalf of Chess Kenya, I convey our deepest and most heartfelt condolences to Hawi’s family, relatives, friends, teammates, clubs, and all those who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Hawi’s legacy will live on through the many lives he touched and the contribution he made to Kenyan chess.
“May his soul rest in eternal peace.”