Kenya Rowing

In 1993 Seifuddin Patwa and Alaisdair MacDonald formed the Kenya Rowing Association based at the nearby yacht club. Alaisdair previously rowed at Henley and is a member of the famous Leander Club. The Kenya Navy Rowing Club became the first club to take interest in competitive rowing. In 1995, Kenya became member of the International Rowing Federation (FISA). In 1997, the rowing club moved to a new site on the calm Tudor Creek on the western shore of Mombasa Island. FISA assisted the Kenya Rowing Association by donating some sculls and doubles. These boats have served well but a shortage of equipment is hampering the progress of rowing in other parts of the country.

Kenya sent its first International squad to the 4th African Rowing Championships in South Africa in March 2000 and followed up with participation in the 5th African Rowing Championships in Cairo Egypt in 2002. Indoor rowing and coastal rowing are being practiced in Mombasa as various competitions are organized. In 2002 Kenya became affiliated with the International Canoe Federation becoming the Kenya Rowing and Canoe Federation.

In 2002, Kenyan rowers received Solidarity Scholarships from the International Olympic Committee to train at The Australian Sports Institute in Canberra to prepare for the qualifications for the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, which was the first time Kenya was represented in rowing. Ibrahim Githaiga represented Kenya in the open weight single scull category. In 2003, the Kenya Rowing and Canoe Association and Kenya Tourist Board undertook a pilot project to promote Kenya as a winter training destination for rowing crews who wish to combine rowing training and some sightseeing.

Kenya, in particular Mombasa, offers ideal rowing training on very long seawater creeks. Mombasa has a modern airport and international-standard accommodations. For high-altitude training, Eldoret, a small town at about 2000 meters offers great rowing at the nearby Lessos Dam. Eldoret is also home to Kenya's elite long distance runners, who train at the nearby IAAF training facility. Equipment and infrastructure for visiting crews have been put in place and all the necessary facilities are available.