Nakuru’s strong performance against visitors highlights growing local gaming enthusiasm
Gamers during the the SC FIFA Tournament.
Nakuru’s gaming scene is gaining momentum as players from across the country converged at Edu Gamerz Zone for the second edition of the SC FIFA Tournament, with local gamers putting up a strong showing against their Nairobi counterparts.
The tournament brought together 32 players in a double-elimination format, giving competitors a second chance to fight their way back into contention after losing a match. Among the standout stories was Nakuru’s Rein, who emerged from the losers’ bracket to keep his campaign alive in a competition that tested players’ skills, consistency and resilience.
Nairobi players also faced stiff competition from the Nakuru contingent, with local gamers demonstrating that the city is increasingly becoming a competitive destination for FIFA gaming.
The event, held in collaboration with SC FIFA Tournament, attracted players from outside Nakuru, marking a significant milestone for Edu Gamerz Zone, which has been working to create opportunities for gamers to compete and showcase their abilities.
According to Edward Ombongi, director of Edu Gamerz Zone, the first edition of the tournament was held in Kabarak, with the latest edition recording the biggest turnout among the tournaments he has organised.
“Today has been an interesting day because we have had the biggest turnout compared to the other tournaments I have hosted,” Ombongi says.
He notes that the tournament attracted more travelling players than previous competitions, which have largely drawn participants from within Nakuru. Nearly 20 of the 32 players were from Nakuru, highlighting the growing local interest in competitive gaming.
Ombongi says the increasing participation from other towns was an encouraging sign for the gaming community, as it created opportunities for players to interact, learn from one another and build connections beyond their home locations.
Edward Ombongi director Edu Gamerz Zone (in red shirt) poses for a photo with to three gamers of the SC FIFA Tournament
He adds that the growing seriousness with which players are approaching gaming was also evident, with more participants viewing it as a potential career rather than simply a recreational activity.
“I have noticed great improvement in the seriousness with which players are taking gaming. Some are now looking at it as a career, which is a good thing for Nakuru,” he says.
The tournament also highlighted the potential of gaming events to bring together young people through competition, while providing a platform for emerging talent to gain experience and recognition.
With the positive response to the second edition, Ombongi says Edu Gamerz Zone hopes to make the tournament a monthly event, offering players regular opportunities to compete and improve their skills.
The planned monthly tournaments could further strengthen Nakuru’s gaming community, while attracting more players from other parts of the country and positioning the town as a growing hub for competitive FIFA gaming.