By KPC Sports Reporter
A section of Kenya’s national Scrabble team has embarked on a grueling road journey to Lusaka, Zambia, after failing to secure government funding for the 2026 East, Central and Southern Africa Scrabble Championships (ECASA) set for this weekend.
Dubbed the “Word Warriors,” the team, led by captain Willy Mwangi, will cover approximately 2,393km one way — a 4,786km round trip — spending six days on the road, three each way.
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About 25 players are expected to represent Kenya at the three-day tournament, which runs from Friday morning to Sunday afternoon.
Mwangi confirmed he is among those traveling by road as the team seeks to defend both the team and individual titles.
“Some players are using the road after failing to secure government funding. We have to fund ourselves because of the love of the game,” he said.
The road contingent departed Nairobi on Monday at 4 a.m., passing through Namanga, Arusha and Tunduma, with arrival in Lusaka expected on Wednesday evening.
Mwangi expressed confidence the journey will not affect performance.
“We have done this before and are psychologically prepared. Arriving on Wednesday gives us Thursday to rest ahead of the games,” he noted.
Each player is expected to spend about KSh60,000 for the trip, including roughly KSh26,000 on transport.
The team plans to seek affordable accommodation in Lusaka to manage costs.
Despite the logistical challenges, Mwangi remains optimistic about retaining both titles, citing Kenya’s depth and experience.
“We have been winning these titles for many years. Our priority is the team title, followed by the individual title,” he said.
Kenya has long dominated the Easter weekend championships. In 2025, Allan Oyende led the team to victory on home soil in Nairobi while also clinching the individual title.
Patrick Nderitu Gitonga achieved a similar feat in 2024 in Gaborone, Botswana, while Mwangi himself guided Kenya to success in 2023.
The championships were not held in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but Kenya had already established a stronghold, winning three consecutive titles from 2017 to 2019.
