Michael Karanga once again stamped his authority on the local amateur golf scene, reclaiming the NCBA Kiambu Open title with a commanding performance at the par-72 Kiambu Golf Club course.
The Ndumberi Golf Club player carded a total gross score of 213 over three rounds (73, 72, 68), finishing three-under-par to walk away with KSh 115,600 and maximum bragging rights.
His final-round 68 was a masterclass in precision and composure, allowing him to pull away from the field and seal victory by a commanding seven strokes ahead of his closest challenger, John Lejirma of Royal Nairobi Golf Club, who finished at 220 (+4).
“The course was tough this time round due to the ongoing rains. I probably could have returned a better score than three-under-par, but I’m very happy to have retained the title,” said Karanga.
Coming into the final day with a two-shot lead, Karanga produced the lowest round of the tournament, cementing his dominance atop the leaderboard. He carded birdies on holes 2, 6, 8, 10, 11, 13, 16, and 17, with bogeys on 4, 5, 14, and 18.
“I checked the KAGC Order of Merit and realized I was number three, so I knew I had to do something this weekend—especially being the defending champion,” he added.
With this victory, Karanga earned 230 Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) Order of Merit points, lifting him to second place overall with 723 points, just 72 points behind current leader Lejirma.
He has now won two of the five KAGC events he has entered this season—the NCBA Kiambu Open title and the NCBA Sigona Bowl in January.
Lejirma Settles for Second
Lejirma, who won the NCBA Kisii Open in March, had a shaky start with five bogeys in Round 1 to card a 75.
He recovered well in Round 2 with birdies on holes 1, 9, 11, and 13 to return a level-par 72.
He began the final round on a high note with birdies on the first three holes, later adding two more on the 11th and 16th.
However, a double bogey on 7 and bogeys on 8, 9, 10, and 15 derailed his charge, ultimately finishing second with a total of 220 (+4).
“I’m really proud to have secured second place, even though the score wasn’t what I was aiming for. I was going for the trophy, but unfortunately, I scrambled through the last three holes and things didn’t go my way,” said Lejirma.
Three-Way Tie for Third
Tied for third at +9 (225) were Hetansh Shah (Sigona Golf Club), Naomi Wafula (Vipingo Ridge), and Joyce Njuguini (Kiambu Golf Club).
Shah recovered strongly from an opening-round 80, carding 74 and 71 in the subsequent rounds.
His final round featured birdies on 6, 11, 15, and 16, with just two dropped shots—bogey on 14 and a double on 18.
Wafula, the 2023 Kiambu Open Champion, showed remarkable consistency with rounds of 75, 76, and 74.
Her final round highlighted excellent short game control and course management, finishing two-over-par for the day.
Njuguini, the home favorite, posted three identical rounds of 75, showing superb knowledge of the course.
Her steady play and smart decision-making kept her in contention all weekend.
Speaking during the awards ceremony, Julius Mburu, NCBA Kiambu Branch Manager, reaffirmed NCBA’s commitment to supporting Kenyan sport.
“This tournament is about more than just Order of Merit points or world rankings—it’s about nurturing ambition and creating opportunities for the next generation of champions.”
He also lauded the regional participation from Rwanda, Uganda, and Burundi, noting that:
“Golf is a unifying sport, and it’s exciting to see the East African community coming together through shared passion.”
The three-day tournament attracted top amateur talent from across the region, further cementing the NCBA Kiambu Open as a critical stop in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series.
The series continues from May 23–25, 2025, with the Ronald Marshall & Toby Gibson Cup at Muthaiga Golf Club.
