Watching Isaac Makokha give able-bodied golfers a run for their money on the golf course, it is difficult to imagine that he was born deaf and mute 33 years ago.
In a clear testimony that disability is not inability, Makokha has not only won the national golf series, but has also represented Kenya in the Deaflympic Games in Turkey in 2027, and in Brazil in 2022.
Isaac Makokha of Vet Lab Sports Club displays the Kenya Amateur Match Play Championship trophy after beating Jay Sandhu in the final on September 20, 2020 at Vet Lab Sports Club.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
On Sunday, his abilities were on display again. Makokha, who is the only deaf golfer in the national team, beat defending champion Michael Karanga at the last hole of the closing round to win 2025 NCBA Railway Invitation golf title at the par-72 Kenya Railway Golf Club in Nairobi. In typical fashion, Makokha, formerly of Vet Lab Sports Club, had led from the first round. Teeing off in the third and final round, he went five shots clear of his playing-mate and defending champion Karanga. Sensing that something special was around the corner, golfers from the deaf community followed his every move.
And when Karanga attempted to cut Makokha’s lead by four shots at the home green, the player made a fantastic chip from the rough, and onto the green where he sank a three-footer putt for a birdie. With that, he registered the day’s level par 72 and a total of five under par 211, which made him the winner. Karanga finished with four under par 68 and a total of four under 212 for second place.
“It's great winning in front of our club members, but above all from the crowd of friends from the deaf community. I was under a lot of pressure from Karanga as from the eighth hole, but I gathered courage to eventually win, ’’ Makokha, whose last victory in a national event came in the Kenya Amateur Championship at Vet Lab Sports Club in 2022, said. Humble and kind almost to a fault, Makokha exhibits the same calmness in life. He is a popular figure at the Railway Golf Club.
Golfer Isaac Makokha displays the trophy he won in Railway Invitation Golf tournament on August 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Pool
Born deaf and mute the 33 years ago in Chekalini, Kakamega County, he developed interest in golf at 12 years at Eldoret Golf Club where his father, John Makokha Kubwa, worked.
“I developed an interest in the game after watching white golfers play at Eldoret Club. I was lucky because my dad was working there. That little interest in the sport made me what I am today,’’ says Makokha. He attended Mumias Primary School for the Deaf, and later joined Nyangoma Technical Institute for the Deaf in Bondo, Siaya County. But due to his interest in golf, Makokha who is married and has a six-year-old daughter, found his easy way back to the sport after his studies by serving as a caddie for four years.
His brother Jeff Kubwa, who is a professional golfer at Royal Nairobi Golf Club, trained him early in his career and even gifted him golf clubs that he used for competing in caddies events. He mastered the game fast and joined his golf-playing brothers Reuben Kubwa who is the eldest in the family, Jeff Kubwa who is now a professional player, and Dennis Kubwa. Of the four, only Jeff and Makokha played for the national team.
Besides playing in the national golf series, Makokha, has participated in Deaflympics in Turkey (2017) and in Brazil (2022). But due to inadequate funding, Makokha skipped three editions of the World Deaf Golf Championship - in Ireland (2018), USA (2022) and in Australia (2024.
“I hope I will not miss the opportunity to play at the World Championship in Sweden next year and of course, in this year’s Deaflympics in Tokyo in November. I believe the way I am playing now, I have a great chance of bringing home a Gold Medal from Tokyo,’’ Makokha says.
Home player Isaac Makokha tees off from 11th tee during Kenya Amateur Matchplay Championship at Vet Lab Sports Club on September 18, 2020.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
“I am most grateful for the support I have received from the club captain as well as the rest of the members, but more or so, it feels special winning in front my deaf community, I will continue practising well for the next events,’’ Makokha, who earned Sh92, 500 and 200 points which puts him fourth in the Kenya Amateur Golf Championship (KAGC) series order of merit with a total of 753 points, said.
“I really wanted a third straight victory here, having won in 2023 and last year, but Makokha played a fantastic golf and he deserves to win,” Karanga said of Makokha, adding that he is a talented player who only needs small support to excel.
Speaking after Makokha’s birdie at the 18th hole, President of Kenya Sports Federation for the Deaf, Bernard Banja, who mobilised a number of deaf golfers to support Makokha, said:
“We are very happy to see Makokha win against such a strong field. He is a good player and our federation will go all out to support him, particularly with the Deaflympics in Tokyo from November 15 to 26 where Makokha will participate. I have no doubt that Makokha will play well in Japan.’’
As a golfer with disability, Makokha is sometimes at a disadvantage when he partners with a caddie who does not understand sign language. Luckily, a number of local referees and players have learnt sign language.
