Peter Wachiuri celebrated a hard-fought victory at the Jacaranda showground in Nakuru, Kenya, after clinching the final round of the Match Play 2 darts tournament. The two-day event attracted 161 participants from across the country and showcased the growing enthusiasm for darts in Kenya, a sport that has seen a notable resurgence after years of decline.

Wachiuri sealed the win by hitting double 10, prompting cheers from the crowd and celebratory music. The player, who has earned the nickname “Kenyan King,” described the tournament as “excellent,” praising the high level of competition.

Darts in Kenya witnessed a resurgence beginning around four years ago, driven by the efforts of development and marketing groups committed to professionalizing the game. One such organisation, Sirua Darts, played a key role in organising the Nakuru event. Dann Karori, Sirua Darts’ co-founder, said the group aims to establish Kenya as the “capital of darts in Africa.”

Last year marked a turning point for the sport’s visibility in Kenya when David Munyua became the first Kenyan to qualify for the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) World Darts Championship in London. A full-time veterinarian, Munyua achieved a major upset by defeating the Belgian 18th seed Mike De Decker in the tournament’s first round. This achievement inspired many local players, including Manpreet Kalsi, the top-ranked player in Sirua’s league, who said Munyua’s success demonstrated that Kenyan players could compete on the global stage.

Wachiuri’s journey to darts began casually in a bar in Ngong town, but the sport soon became a professional pursuit after he began earning income through match wagers. He eventually left his truck driving job to focus exclusively on darts. In 2024, Wachiuri narrowly missed qualifying for the PDC World Championship himself, falling short by a mere millimeter in the African qualifier held in Nairobi.

Veteran player Manpreet Kalsi, nicknamed “The Prince,” has been involved in the sport since the 1990s, recalling family matches held over weekend barbecues. Like Wachiuri, Kalsi has competed internationally, including at the Modus Super Series in Portsmouth, England.

Darts enjoyed an earlier period of popularity in Kenya during the 1980s and 1990s, in part due to televised national league matches on the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation’s “KBL Festival of Darts.” Kenyan players also appeared at international competitions such as the World Darts Federation (WDF) World Cup. However, a lack of corporate sponsorship and organisational challenges led to a decline in interest by the early 2000s.

Sirua Darts, founded in 2022 by Karori and fellow enthusiasts Penny Mubea and Jeff Muriithi, has been instrumental in revitalizing the sport. The organisation runs a 12-week league with 20 teams and about 300 players nationwide, hosts tournaments, and collaborates with international dart bodies to foster growth. Efforts are also underway to expand the fan base, including incorporating music and food at events and initiating youth categories for players under 15.

At the Nakuru tournament, Millicent Wangui emerged victorious in the women’s division, defeating local rival Daisy Kipyator. Both the men’s and women’s finals featured lively audiences, energised introductions, and expert commentary streamed online.

Stakeholders in Kenyan darts acknowledge that securing more player sponsorships to support international travel and competition will be essential for the sport's continued development and greater global presence.