How Njoroge Kibugu Won the Hearts of Kenyans and Ruto's Sh5M

In a moment that blended sport, humour and presidential patronage, President William Ruto had spectators at the 2026 Magical Kenya Open in stitches as he rewarded Kenyan golf standout Njoroge Kibugu with a KSh 5 million cash prize following the young pro’s impressive showing at the prestigious international tournament this Sunday.

The 57th edition of the Magical Kenya Open, part of the DP World Tour and staged at Karen Country Club, drew elite golfers from around the world. While South African Casey Jarvis captured the title with a commanding performance, finishing 25-under-par to win his maiden DP World Tour championship, Kibugu’s weekend form and resilience won widespread admiration among the home crowd.

A Performance That Captured Hearts

At 22, Kibugu emerged as the only Kenyan to make the cut among 17 local players in this year’s event, finishing tied for 61st place with a six-under total. His performance, highlighted by an eagle on the 18th hole that secured his place through the weekend, delighted fans and commentators alike.

In the final round, Kibugu carded several birdies despite challenging conditions that included rain interruptions. His score and composure were widely praised as a sign that Kenyan golf is developing talent capable of competing on the global stage.

“Niweke Mawe?” — A Presidential Punchline

President Ruto, attending the concluding ceremony, took a light-hearted tone alongside his formal acknowledgement of Kibugu’s achievement. With cameras and fans watching, Ruto joked, “Niweke mawe?” — a Kiswahili phrase roughly meaning “Should I put stones?” — a playful quip that drew laughter and applause from the crowd.

The moment underscored the relaxed atmosphere as Kenya celebrated one of its talented sportsmen. (Direct quote paraphrased from reported event remarks).

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Beyond the KSh 5 million reward from State House, Kibugu also received an additional KSh 2 million from event partners Absa Bank Kenya, lifting the golfer’s total cash support to around KSh 7 million following the tournament.

Njoroge Kibugu // Instagram

Looking Ahead

While Jarvis’s victory will grab the headlines internationally, Kibugu’s performance — and the presidential support — has sparked conversation about nurturing golf talent in Kenya. Observers say the event spotlighted not only elite competition but the promise of future Kenyan contenders in professional golf circuits.