By Phillip Orwa
Kenya’s Njoroge Kibugu and Rwanda’s Celestin Nsanzuwera are tied 8-under-par at the top of the leaderboard heading into the final round of the Absa Invitational Series, the season finale of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing at Karen Country Club.
The two leaders, who were paired in the same flight, traded positions throughout a dramatic second round as the contest for the title intensified.
Kibugu, who began the day as the overnight leader, started steadily with birdies on the 2nd and 6th holes before dropping a shot on the 9th. On the back nine, he added birdies on the 12th, 14th, and 18th, with bogeys on the 11th and 17th. He signed for a 2 under par 68 to remain at the summit on 8-under par overall.
Nsanzuwera, who is chasing his third win of the inaugural Sunshine Development Tour season, opened his round strongly, picking up birdies on the 5th, 8th, and 9th holes in the opening nine.
He continued the momentum after the turn with birdies on the 10th and 12th to briefly take the outright lead. However, bogeys on the 14th, 15th, and 17th saw him drop shots before he recovered with a crucial birdie on the 18th to finish the day tied for the lead.
Isaiah Otuke sits third on 4-under par overall after posting a 1-under par second round that included birdies on the 2nd, 8th, 12th, 14th, and 17th, against bogeys on the 4th, 9th, 13th, and 16th.
Tied for fourth on 3 under par is a three-way group comprising Mike Kisia and amateurs Elvis Muigua and Taimur Malik. Muigua of Ndumberi Golf Club produced an impressive 3 under par round following an opening round of level par.
A total of 34 players made the cut, which was set at 5-over par, with the top 30 players and ties advancing to the final round.
The final round of the Absa Invitational Series will be played on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, at the par 70 Karen Country Club, with the first tee time scheduled for 7.30 am.
A prize purse of Sh2 million is up for grabs, with the winner expected to take home Sh400,000. The tournament will also mark the crowning of the Sunshine Development Tour East Africa Swing Order of Merit winner, with Sunshine Tour cards to be awarded at the close of the event.
