KCB’s athletics push builds momentum beyond Tokyo
Sponsored by KCB
The curtains have fallen on the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, and KCB Bank is looking firmly to the future of Kenyan sport. Earlier this year, the lender committed Ksh8 million to Athletics Kenya, funding two key events on the federation’s calendar – the Kenya National Athletics Trials in June and the World Championships trials in August, both held at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
That investment is already paying dividends. The trials not only shaped Kenya’s squad for Tokyo, but also reinforced the Bank’s role as a cornerstone of the country’s athletics ecosystem. With the championships offering a global stage for Kenyan talent, KCB’s backing is ensuring that the pathway to international competition remains strong, competitive, and inclusive.
KCB’s vision stretches far beyond the track. In the run-up to Tokyo, the bank conducted financial literacy training in Eldoret and Nairobi for Team Kenya athletes, equipping them with money management skills to secure their earnings and prepare for life beyond competition.
This complements the KCB Foundation Scholars’ athletics programme, piloted in 2024, which offers full four-year scholarships to 50 promising but disadvantaged student-athletes. The scholars combine classroom learning under the CBC curriculum with elite coaching at centres of excellence, creating a pipeline of future champions.
“At KCB, we are intentional about providing holistic support to athletics, combining financial sponsorship, education, and life skills to prepare athletes for success both on and off the track. We are keen on this investment because sport has the power to transform lives, communities, and the country’s future,” says KCB Group Director, Marketing and Communications, Rosalind Gichuru.
“We commend team Kenya for not only carrying the national flag high but also the dreams of millions of Kenyans who cheered from their homes, and a special shout-out to the ladies for their spectacular performances across the distant races,” she added.
With Tokyo 2025 done and Beijing 2027 on the horizon, KCB’s holistic approach underscores its ambition to champion athletics in Kenya. For today’s stars and tomorrow’s prodigies, the bank’s investment is shaping not just performances on the track, but also futures off it. The Bank has played a pivotal role in nurturing talent and growing the sports ecosystem at both grassroots and elite levels.
Over the last two decades, KCB has invested more than Ksh3 billion in various disciplines, including athletics, football, volleyball, rugby, chess, motorsports, and golf. This investment is part of a broader social responsibility agenda aimed at transforming lives, building communities, and strengthening national pride through sport.
