Kenya has made history by becoming the first country in Africa to host the 2026 Rafting World Cup Series , the third leg of a four part global series that has brought together 35 teams from 18 countries competing at the Rapids Camp on Sagana River in Murang’a County from July 9 - 12.
The championship, the first of its kind to be held on African soil, has attracted five Kenyan teams and now Kenya Rafting Federation National Treasurer Ibrahim Mwangi has described the event as a landmark achievement for both Kenya and Africa.
“We are proud to host the Rafting World Cup in Kenya for the first time and on African soil. The event is opening up new opportunities for young people to take up rafting as an emerging sport with great potential,” Mwangi said, adding that the federation was working with Murang’a University to integrate water sports into learning through the Competency-Based Education curriculum.
President of the African Rafting Council, El Mamourn Belabbas, praised the Sagana River as one of the finest rafting venues he has encountered, describing the competition as a major milestone for the growth of the sport across Africa.
Belabbas noted that more than 20 international teams had travelled to Kenya for the championship, reflecting growing global confidence in the country’s ability to host world-class sporting events.
He commended the Government of Kenya, the Kenya Rafting Federation led by William Kinuthia, organizers and participating teams for successfully staging the event.