Kenya begins preps for World Rafting Championships

 Kenya has officially began preparations to host the Africa Round of the 2026 World Rafting Championships, scheduled to take place in Sagana, Kirinyaga County, from July 5 to 12, 2026.

The country secured hosting rights for the prestigious World Rafting Cup following a meeting between officials from the Kenya Rafting Federation (KRF) and the World Rafting Federation held in Aosta, Italy, in late February. The Sagana event will serve as the third and final leg of a three-part global series, with earlier rounds set for France in April and Italy in June.

According to KRF Secretary General William Kinuthia, the competition is expected to attract participants from 40 countries, underlining its global appeal and significance.

“It is a great honour that Kenya will host this rafting competition, we hope we will be successful in terms of preparation and results for the pride of Kenya and Africa because it is a World Cup. The preparations are good and the team is excited as they are being polished every day in training while we as leaders also continue with the preparations for the competition as the host,” said Kinuthia.

Preparations are focusing on key areas,  including river inspections, safety assessments, infrastructure development, logistical planning, and training of technical officials to ensure the event meets international standards.

Kenya will bank on its successful hosting of the 2025 Africa Rafting Championship on River Sagana in Murang’a County, which provided valuable experience in staging high-level competitions.

Hosting the global event marks a major milestone for Kenya’s sports tourism ambitions and highlights the growing potential of watersports in the country. It also aligns with Kenya’s broader push to tap into the Blue Economy by leveraging its natural water resources.

Beyond the competition, the event is expected to boost international tourism, create opportunities for local athletes, and position African rivers as world-class venues for competitive rafting, further cementing Kenya’s place on the global sporting map.