Nairobi City Thunder land KSh10 Million sponsorship ahead of playoffs run-in

The investment comes at a critical stage of the season as Thunder continue their pursuit of success in the Kenya National Basketball League (KNBL) while also laying the groundwork for future appearances on the continental stage.

The sponsorship will see I&M Bank become the club's Official Banking Partner for the remainder of the 2026 season, providing crucial financial support to a team that has emerged as a trailblazer for Kenyan basketball.

Over the past three years, Nairobi City Thunder have transformed themselves into one of the most successful basketball clubs in East Africa.

The team made history in 2024 by becoming the first Kenyan club to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL), Africa's premier club basketball competition.

They repeated the achievement in 2025, underlining their consistency and growing stature within the sport.

Thunder's dominance has also been evident on the domestic scene with the club winning back-to-back Kenya National Basketball Federation league titles in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 seasons without losing a single game, a remarkable achievement that established them as the benchmark for excellence in Kenyan basketball.

The latest sponsorship is expected to strengthen the club's preparations for future competitions by providing resources needed for training, travel, player welfare and overall team operations.

With ambitions of competing regularly against Africa's best clubs, Thunder view the partnership as a vital step in sustaining their growth and maintaining their competitive edge.

Club Founder and CEO Colin Rasmussen said the sponsorship goes beyond financial support, describing it as a vote of confidence in the club's vision and the growth of basketball in Kenya.

"We are delighted to launch this partnership with I&M Bank because it provides essential resources that enhance our operational capacity.

“It also reflects confidence in what we are building as a basketball club and the wider basketball ecosystem in Kenya," said Rasmussen.

For the players, the partnership is another indication that their performances are attracting attention beyond the court.

Kenya international forward Tom 'Bush' Wamukota said the sponsorship would serve as extra motivation for the squad as they continue chasing success.

"This partnership means a lot to us because it shows that our hard work is being recognized.

“Having a major institution like I&M Bank behind us motivates us to compete harder, represent the club with pride and continue pushing Kenyan basketball to greater heights," said Wamukota.

As Thunder continue to raise the profile of Kenyan basketball both locally and internationally, the sponsorship provides another platform for the club to pursue its ambition of becoming a regular force in African basketball while inspiring the next generation of players.