7 Popular Sports in Kenya & More

Final Thoughts on Traditional Kenya Sports

Despite the influence of western culture and modern sports, Kenyan communities seem to be fighting hard to safeguard their heritage, including indigenous sports.

Even though these sports are not popular on platforms such as Betway, they remain an important cultural treasure.

If you travel to remote villages in Kenya, you will still find locals taking part in these beloved traditional sports.

Sport is deeply woven into Kenya’s cultural fabric, encompassing both traditional and modern disciplines.

From indigenous games to international competitions, Kenya boasts a vibrant sports scene that reflects its rich heritage and global ambitions.

Athletics: Kenya’s Global Identity

Kenya is renowned worldwide for its dominance in middle- and long-distance running. Legends like Eliud Kipchoge and David Rudisha have set world records and won Olympic golds, while towns like Iten—dubbed the “Home of Champions”—serve as high-altitude training hubs for elite runners from around the globe.

Kipande Game

What Is the Most Popular Sport in Kenya?

Popular sports in Kenya: football is the most popular

Football (soccer) is the most popular sport in Kenya, although Kenya’s national soccer team, the Harambee Stars, has had little international success.

Other Popular Sports in Kenya

Basketball, Volleyball & Netball

Volleyball, especially among women, continues to enjoy strong popularity. Kenya’s standout team, the Malkia Strikers, remains dominant in continental competitions.
Basketball is steadily expanding, particularly in urban areas and schools. A national league organized by the Kenyan Basketball Federation and regional competitions underscore the sport’s gradual growth.
Netball persists as a firm favorite, notably in girls’ school programs and local leagues, though recent reporting focuses more on volleyball and basketball.

Rugby Union – Safari Sevens & Shujaa

Kenya maintains a respectable presence in rugby sevens, with the national men’s team, Shujaa, known for its competitive spirit on the international stage.

The annual Safari Sevens tournament remains a highlight of Kenya’s domestic rugby calendar.
While the team’s current world sevens series ranking isn’t explicitly documented in recent sources, they retain a strong regional and developmental profile.

Cricket

Cricket in Kenya is undergoing a notable revival:

In August 2025, Cricket Kenya launched the CK T20 League, a new six-franchise tournament designed to rejuvenate the sport, featuring Nairobi Challengers, Simba Royals, Mombasa Wildebeests, Kisumu Tuskers, Rhino Hitters, and Maasai Mara Warriors. It has secured a five-year deal with AOS Sports worth significant financial investment.
On the grassroots and infrastructure side, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o initiated a partnership to upgrade the cricket facility at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports Complex—boosting development across schools and local clubs in Western Kenya.
Kenya hosted the 2024 Cricket World Cup Challenge League A from September to October 2024, as part of the 2027 World Cup qualification pathway. The national team placed fourth, with only two wins out of five matches, highlighting ongoing challenges in fielding quality performance.

Baseball & Baseball5

Baseball remains in its developmental stages, yet recent activity shows momentum:

In Youth Baseball5, Kenya finished second at the African Championship and earned qualification for the Youth Baseball5 World Cup in Mexico.
The country is currently among the top 2 Baseball5 teams on the African continent, underlining growing prominence in this fast-paced, urban-friendly version of baseball.
Grassroots efforts—such as those in Kakuma Refugee Camp—use Baseball5 to engage youth and foster social cohesion, supported by the WBSC in educational contexts.
Additionally, regional qualifiers, including the Eastern Zone event in Nairobi, continue to shape Kenya’s path toward the 2026 Baseball5 World Cup.
A vibrant high school baseball scene exists as well, highlighted by Kenya’s participation in events like the “Koshien” tournament, modeled on Japan’s school baseball festival.

Swimming & Softball

These continue to be enjoyed as recreational and school-level sports, though recent media focus has shifted toward developing team sports like cricket and Baseball5.

Emerging Individual Sport Highlight – Darts

Peter Wachiuri, a Kenyan darts player, made history as the first African finalist at the Modus Super Series in the UK, earning a hero’s welcome upon his return. His achievement has helped spotlight darts as a growing sport in Kenya.

National Sport of Kenya/Kenya National Sport

Kenya does not have a specific national sport, though as mentioned above, football is the most popular sport in the country.

Board Games Kenya

If you are looking for board games in Kenya, you can purchase them from Board Games Kenya. To find out more, call them on +254-(0)700-745000. They usually have same-day delivery.

The Most Popular Sport in South Africa

The three most popular sports in South Africa are football, rugby, and cricket.

Photo credits: Special Olympics

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