Kenya Karate Federation ( KKF) has confirmed that the upcoming Kenya Open Karate Championship 2026 is already scheduled for 27-29th March at the Salvation Army Hall in Thika, Kiambu County.
Speaking on Wednesday in Nairobi, federation president Richard Binga told Radio Generation that the premier national karate event will bring together athletes from all 47 counties across Kenya, making it one of the most inclusive and competitive tournaments in the country’s martial arts calendar.
"The event aims to promote talent development, foster national unity through sport, and provide a platform for athletes to showcase their skills in both kata and kumite categories," said Binga.
"The championship will also serve as an official selection platform for the national team, identifying top-performing athletes who will go on to represent Kenya in regional, continental, and global competitions," Binga added.
The KKF president also took the opportunity to announce on Radio Generation that the federation is inviting all qualified and aspiring karate judges, referees, and coaches to participate in a Capacity Building and Refresher Course on the current World Karate Federation (WKF) Rules at the Salvation Army Hall, on March 27 from 9-5 pm.
"The objective of this course is to enhance the technical knowledge, officiating standards, and coaching competencies of karate practitioners in line with the latest WKF rules and regulations," said Binga.
The KKF one-day seminar will provide an opportunity for participants to update their understanding of rule interpretations, competition procedures, judging criteria, and coaching best practices.
The course will cover key areas, including: Updates on the current WKF competition rules, roles and responsibilities of referees and judges, Kata and Kumite judging criteria, Match management and decision-making, Practical officiating sessions and simulations.
KKF also intends to have a Coaching alignment with WKF standards, a refresher programme particularly important for officials and coaches preparing for upcoming national and international competitions, that will help ensure uniformity and professionalism in the officiating and coaching of karate in Kenya.
The Target Participants to this one-day seminar are licensed karate referees, karate judges, karate judges, karate coaches and senior karate practitioners aspiring to become officials.
The one day seminar that culminates to the Kenya Open, now will see Kenya's future in the world of Karate being shaped to desired standards even as the country now prepares for The Union of Africa Karate Federations ( UFAK) , a championship that will bring 14 countries to battle in Nairobi on 31st May 2026 and the Africa Karate Championships in Algeria, September 2026.