NAIROBI — The Magical Kenya Open Presented By Absa is teeing off as more than a showcase of world‑class golf — it’s fast becoming a force for environmental stewardship and community uplift. As a stop on the DP World Tour, the tournament is using its global spotlight to champion sustainability and leave a lasting legacy in the neighborhoods that cradle the fairways.
Set for February 19–22 at Karen Country Club, the event has woven green practices into every layer of its planning. Organizers are cutting single‑use plastics, prioritizing recyclable materials, and insisting on refillable water solutions in partnership with Coca‑Cola so spectators and staff alike refill rather than discard. Course preparation favors organic inputs that protect turf health without harming the environment, and waste streams are being routed to recycling channels to shrink the tournament’s footprint.
Off the course, the Open’s impact is tangible and personal. The tournament has formally adopted nearby schools, including St. Mary’s Karen Primary, supplying learning materials, infrastructure upgrades, and environmental education. Projects range from repairing classrooms and upgrading the football pitch to installing biodigesters that convert waste into cooking gas — practical interventions that improve daily life and model sustainable practice for pupils.
“We always look for a place where the club’s work can continue long after the final putt,” says Patrick Obath, Chairman of Kenya Open Golf Limited. That continuity is central to the tournament’s mission: not just a week of elite sport, but a sustained partnership that strengthens local institutions.
Absa’s Head of Sustainability and Corporate Affairs, Charles Wokabi, frames the tournament as a platform for year‑round social and environmental work. Drawing on past successes in Muthaiga, the partnership with KOGL is expanding tree‑planting, environmental lessons, and resource support in Karen’s schools. “Every venue is an opportunity to leave something positive behind,” Wokabi notes, underscoring the tournament’s ambition to blend elite competition with community care.
The result is a tournament that plays to packed galleries while planting seeds for the future — literally and figuratively. From refill stations and recycled materials to classroom repairs and green education, the Magical Kenya Open is proving that sport can be a powerful engine for sustainable development and social good.
