Defending Ruiru champion Dismas Indiza of Kakamega Sports Club tees off during the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing leg. | Photo: Kurunzi News
The Sunshine Development Tour – East Africa Swing heads to Ruiru Sports Club this weekend for the fifth leg of the season, with a strong regional field set to compete in the Absa Ruiru Invitational.
The three-day championship is scheduled for Sunday, August 16, to Tuesday, August 18, following a Pro-Am event on Saturday that will bring together professional and amateur golfers ahead of the main competition.
A total of 63 professionals, amateurs and junior golfers from across the region are expected to take part, with players competing for valuable Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points as well as Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR) points.
Among the leading names in the field are Kakamega Sports Club’s Dismas Indiza and Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s John Lejirma, who return to Ruiru following a dramatic finish at last year’s tournament.
Indiza produced a remarkable comeback in the 2025 edition after beginning the final round five shots behind Lejirma. He eventually tied the contest at four-under-par 212 before securing victory in a sudden-death playoff with a birdie on the par-four 18th hole.
The pair will face a strong Kenyan contingent that includes Samuel Njoroge Chege, Greg Snow, Daniel Nduva, Michael Karanga, David Wakhu, Edwin Mudanyi, Mohit Mediratta and Taimur Malik.
Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera will lead the international challenge, with golfers from Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Malawi and Burundi also expected to feature. Their participation reflects the expanding regional reach of the Sunshine Development Tour.
The tournament will also provide an important platform for emerging and amateur golfers to compete alongside established professionals and gain valuable experience in a high-level competitive environment.
Tournament Director David Kihara said the quality of the field, coupled with the history of the Ruiru leg, is expected to produce another closely contested championship.
“Ruiru has consistently delivered competitive golf, and we are expecting another exciting contest this year,” Kihara said. He added that the return of Indiza and Lejirma adds an intriguing dimension to the tournament following their dramatic encounter last year.
Royal Nairobi Golf Club’s John Lejirma in action during the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at Ruiru Sports Club. | Photo: Kurunzi News
The Absa Ruiru Invitational is supported by Absa Bank Kenya as part of its partnership with the Sunshine Development Tour. The bank is supporting three legs of the Tour during the current season, including the Ruiru event.
The Ruiru leg is part of the Sunshine Development Tour’s broader player-development pathway, offering golfers an opportunity to earn ranking points and pursue progression towards the Sunshine Tour.
With experienced professionals, emerging talents, and international players converging at Ruiru Sports Club, attention will now turn to who can maintain consistency over three days and emerge as the fifth-leg champion.
