Game Yetu : Scrabble: Gitonga upbeat as Kitui hosts second national Scrabble circuit

Kenya Seed two Nderitu Gitonga in action during a past Scrabble tournament. [Washington Onyango]

Kenya scrabble seed two Nderitu Gitonga seeks to defend national scrabble circuit title for the third time when more than 80 national scrabble masters converge at Parkside Villa in Kitui County.

Fresh from winning Nairobi circuit last month, Gitonga eyes his second win of the season and fourth Kitui circuit crown. He will square it out with his arch-rival and East Africa number one Allan Oyende.

Oyende, who missed the Nairobi circuit, makes his first appearance this season and he tipped to win gold.

Muema Mumbi, the organizing secretary, said the circuit will be played in three divisions in the two-day contest.

“The 18 matches will be played in intermediate and premier divisions and 16 games played in the open category, where we expect more entries. We expect the circuit to be bigger than the previous ones,” he said.

Kitui County Scrabble chairman Robert Nguli said the circuit will attract players from Nairobi, Siaya, Kisii, Eldoret, Busia, Mombasa, Nakuru and Kisumu.

“The circuit will involve players from across the country and we expect more youths especially from local colleges and universities,” he said.

Kirinyaga’s Gitonga and Oyende, a two-time national winner, stands out as a favourites in the Kitui circuit.

They will, however, face stiff competition from Kisumu’s Tony Ochola, George Nyakundi, and Muema Muumbi and Onani Magwanga.

Top-ranked lady Cecilia Ruto, Wenwa Akinyi and Milly Kikechi are also expected to prove their word mastery. Stima Club, Central Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, Kinoo Club, Eldoret Club, and Busia Scrabble club have already confirmed participation.