Willy Mwangi produced an excellent performance to claim the Murang’a title, the third leg of the Scrabble Kenya National Championships.
The winner of the 2025 Kiambu Championships won 13 out of 18 matches to edge out Nairobi opening-round winner Richard Okechi and Kitui champion Michael Gongolo for the title.
The two-day event proved rewarding for the Nakuru-based barber, who recently competed against top-tier opponents at the World English Scrabble Players Association Championship in Ghana, where he finished 30th overall.
Mwangi began his journey to victory with a loss to Benson Kimanthi. However, he bounced back strongly in the second round to beat Cecilia Ruto before suffering defeats to David Kimani and Lincoln Onyango in the third and fourth matches.
Mwangi then found his rhythm, recording victories over Tom Mboya, Nicholas Kamunyu, John Mbote, Manase Otieno, Bernard Koyyoko, Philip Mutinda and Bernard Amuke before suffering another loss to Onani Magwanga in the 12th round.
Despite the setbacks, Mwangi maintained consistency in the remaining rounds to seal the Murang’a title.
Premier Round 18 Standings
| Rank | Won-Lost | Spread | Player | Last Game |
| 1 | 13–5 | +443 | Mwangi, Willy (A3) | 2W:363-325:A6 |
| 2 | 13–5 | +215 | Okechi, Richard (A6) | 1L:325-363:A3 |
| 3 | 12–6 | +726 | Gongolo, Michael (EXP) (A4) | 1W:460-362:A5 |
| 4 | 12–6 | +336 | Oyende, Allan (GM) (A1) | 1W:515-404:A2 |
| 5 | 11–7 | +526 | Tarus, Kipruto (A12) | 1W:408-383:A14 |
| 6 | 11–7 | +246 | Koyyoko, Bernard (A5) | 2L:362-460:A4 |
| 7 | 10–8 | +854 | Kimani, David (A10) | 1W:476-387:A9 |
| 8 | 10–8 | +424 | Nderitu, Gitonga (GM) (A2) | 2L:404-515:A1 |
| 9 | 10–8 | +362 | Magwanga, Onani (A14) | 2L:383-408:A12 |
| 10 | 10–8 | +199 | Amuke, Benard (A7) | 1W:394-374:A8 |