Kenya has confirmed its participation in the fourth edition of the Africa Kabaddi Championship, which will also serve as a World Cup Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) from June 20-28, 2026.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday after a training session, Mathew Mwangi, Secretary General of the Confederation of Africa Kabaddi (CAK), said that although Kenya missed the third edition in Egypt, the country had won the first and second editions and is determined to reclaim its crown in DRC.
“We could not defend our title in Egypt due to lack of funds, but this time we are ready to make a statement. We have been waiting for this,” Mwangi said confidently.
Kenya will compete alongside DRC (hosts), Cameroon, Nigeria, Central Africa, Egypt, Tanzania, Togo, Angola, and Burundi in both men’s and women’s categories.
The event is organized by the Ministry of Sports Congo and the Embassy of India in Congo, in collaboration with the Congo Kabaddi Federation.
Mwangi added that World Cup qualification will be awarded to the top three medalists for women (gold, silver, bronze), while for men, only the gold and silver medalists will qualify.
Kenya hosted the first Africa Championship in 2018, competing in both rectangle and circle Kabaddi. Kenya won the inaugural titles, with Tanzania second and Egypt third. The second edition in Tanzania (2021) saw Kenya defend both men’s and women’s titles, with Egypt finishing second and hosts Tanzania third.
In the third edition in Egypt, Kenya could not participate due to logistical challenges, and Egypt claimed top honors in both categories, followed by Tanzania and Cameroon.
With the fourth edition confirmed in Kinshasa, Kenya—a double African champion in both men’s and women’s, rectangle and circle Kabaddi—is training hard as the squads are finalized, aiming to reclaim their lost glory and secure a historic third title.
