SportPesa invests Ksh20m as official betting partner of Magical Kenya Open golf tournament
SportPesa’s Ksh20m investment elevates Kenya’s premier golf event, securing exclusive betting partnership and boosting international profile.
Kenya.- SportPesa invested Ksh20m (€122,000) into the 2026 Magical Kenya Open (MKO), becoming the tournament’s exclusive betting partner. The sponsorship marked the company’s first entry into professional golf, boosting prize money, infrastructure and Kenya’s international profile.
The 57th edition of the MKO, an official DP World Tour event, ran from February 19 to 22, 2026 at Karen Country Club, featuring 144 golfers from more than 25 countries competing for a Ksh348.3m (€2.1m) prize purse.
SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri said: “This was our grand entry into golf, and we are going to keep doing this for years to come. As SportPesa, we are very proud to partner with this event and it helps us position the country globally as the home of sports.”
SportPesa’s sponsorship provided exclusive betting rights and funding that supported tournament logistics, media coverage, player hospitality and the overall quality of the event. The investment positioned the MKO as a key stop on the DP World Tour’s International Swing, linking it to other African tournaments such as the South African Open and Joburg Open.
Karauri added: “By supporting the Magical Kenya Open, we invested in a platform that attracted world-class talent and enhanced Kenya’s international reputation as a competitive host for premier sporting events.”
Tournament key results
Kenya Open Golf Limited (KOGL), the official organiser of the MKO, Chairman Patrick Obath added: “We welcomed SportPesa as the official gaming and betting partner for the Magical Kenya Open 2026. Their support enriched the tournament experience for players, fans and stakeholders while reinforcing Kenya’s standing on the global golfing calendar.”
South African Casey Jarvis captured his DP World Tour title, finishing three strokes ahead of runner-up Davis Bryant after a final-round 62. Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu was the top-ranked local, making the cut and earning bonus prize money. Other Kenyan golfers included Justus Madoya, Dismas Indiza, Isaiah Otuke and Jacob Okello.
The MKO follows SportPesa’s Ksh120m (€732,000) multi-sports initiative and Ksh1.12bn (€6.8m) sponsorship of the SportPesa League, which includes Gor Mahia FC, Murang’a SEAL, and Shabana FC.
The 2026 Magical Kenya Open delivered a world-class golfing spectacle and reinforced Kenya’s status on the global sporting map.
