By Eldoret Leo 
Patrick Mwangi and Patricia Keruche emerged victorious in the men’s and ladies’ categories respectively as the inaugural leg of the SportPesa National Pool Circuit 2026 concluded successfully in Eldoret.
The three-day tournament, held at Timba XO Bar and Grill from November 6 to 8, attracted pool players who competed for honours and a place in the national finals.
Follow our WHATSAPP CHANNEL for daily updates.
Mwangi claimed the men’s title after an impressive comeback in a thrilling race-to-seven final, overcoming a 5-2 deficit to force a 6-6 tie before keeping his composure to secure victory.
The win earned him KSh100,000 in prize money, marking a memorable start to the three-leg national competition.
Speaking after his victory, Mwangi expressed satisfaction with his performance, praising his opponent for providing a tough challenge.
“The game was good. I had a very worthy opponent who pushed me to my limits, and I am over the moon. I just took one game at a time without thinking of the outcome, and I am glad to have emerged as the winner,” he said.
Mwangi dedicated his victory to his chairman and Mchana Pool Club for their continued support and commitment to developing the sport.
He also praised SportPesa for investing in pool from the grassroots level and providing upcoming players with opportunities to compete on the national stage.
He said the company’s support was important in nurturing young talent and raising the profile of pool in Kenya and beyond.
In the ladies’ category, Patricia Keruche also demonstrated remarkable resilience, recovering from a 3-1 deficit to defeat her opponent 5-3 and claim the championship.
Her victory earned her KSh70,000 in prize money after an impressive display of determination and composure.
Keruche said she was delighted with the comeback, explaining that she deliberately avoided focusing on the scoreboard when she was trailing.
“I am so happy. It was a comeback, and I think I surprise myself sometimes. I did not know I would hold it down like that, but I am so happy,” she said.
“When I was down, I was not dwelling on the scoreboard because I did not want to dwell on the thought of defeat, and I managed to do it.”
The pool star thanked her supporters and boyfriend for encouraging her throughout her journey, adding that her next major ambition was to compete at the National Finals in Nairobi.
She expressed confidence that the Eldoret victory was only the beginning of what she hopes will be a successful campaign.
Collins Tuwei, one of the directors at Cuevolution, the organisation behind the tournament, expressed satisfaction with the response to the inaugural competition.
Tuwei said the partnership with SportPesa represented a significant opportunity for pool players, particularly those who have struggled to access corporate sponsorship and structured competitions.
He noted that despite having played pool for more than two decades, he had rarely witnessed a corporate partner demonstrate such commitment to developing the sport.
“My heart is full. When we started, we were not sure how it would come out, but the results have been overwhelming. This partnership with SportPesa means everything for pool players,” he said.
“I have been a pool player for over 20 years and, with all honesty, I have not seen any corporate take the game as seriously as SportPesa has. Their slogan is ‘Make It Count’, and I hope pool players live up to that.”
SportPesa Public Relations Manager Willis Ojwang’ also reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting pool and creating more opportunities for players across the country.
Ojwang’ said the initiative had already reached thousands of players at the grassroots level, providing a platform for emerging talent to demonstrate their abilities.
He described the Eldoret tournament as a major success and expressed optimism about the remaining legs of the competition.
According to Ojwang’, the company’s objective is to build a sustainable platform where players can showcase their potential while contributing to the growth and recognition of pool in Kenya.
Following the successful Eldoret opener, attention now shifts to Nakuru, which will host the second leg of the SportPesa National Pool Circuit 2026 from November 20 to 22.
The final preliminary outing will take place in Mombasa from December 4 to 6, bringing together players seeking to secure qualification for the national championship.
The competition features 128 players in the men’s category and 64 in the ladies’ category.
After the three regional outings, the top 64 men and top 32 women will advance to the National Finals, whose date and venue details are yet to be confirmed.
The circuit is expected to provide a competitive pathway for pool players from different parts of Kenya while strengthening the sport’s grassroots structures.
For Mwangi and Keruche, the Eldoret victories provide an encouraging start to their campaigns, while other competitors will be looking to make their mark in Nakuru and Mombasa.
- Eldoret: November 6-8, 2026
- Nakuru: November 20-22, 2026
- Mombasa: December 4-6, 2026
- National Finals: Date to be announced
With two preliminary legs remaining, the battle for qualification is expected to intensify as players compete for the opportunity to become national champions.
EldoretLeo 
Robert Mutasi