Sh2m prize purse headlines 2026 Sunshine Development Tour return

A Sh2 million prize purse will be contested at the Absa Ruiru Invitational as the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing returns to Ruiru Sports Club. The three-day event, scheduled for August 16-18, is the fifth leg of the 2026 season.

Players will also be competing for Sunshine Development Tour Order of Merit points, Official World Golf Ranking points and World Amateur Golf Ranking points. A Pro-Am held before the main tournament gave the field an opportunity to assess the Ruiru course.

Royal Nairobi Golf Club professional John Lejirma is among the players seeking a strong week. He finished runner-up at Ruiru last year after Dismas Indiza won a sudden-death playoff, with both players having completed regulation play on four-under-par 212. Lejirma has since worked with his coach on every part of his game, placing particular emphasis on driving, which he considers important on the course.

Indiza returns as champion after also winning the Kabete Challenge earlier this season. He will face fellow Kenyan professionals Samuel Njoroge Chege, Greg Snow, Daniel Nduva, Michael Karanga, David Wakhu, Edwin Mudanyi, Mohit Mediratta and Taimur Malik.

Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera leads the international challenge, while players from Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana, Malawi and Burundi are also included in the field. Malik arrives looking to recover from a difficult finish in his previous tournament and used the Pro-Am to settle into the course. His recent preparation has focused on wedge distance control and trajectory, while he remains confident in his driving.

The Ruiru Invitational is backed by Absa Bank Kenya through its partnership with the Sunshine Development Tour, which supports three events on the circuit this season. The tour provides regular competition and ranking opportunities for golfers pursuing progression towards the Sunshine Tour.