The shooting fraternity in Kenya under the umbrella National Gun Owners Association of Kenya (NGAO-K) held their third International Defensive Pistol Association (IDPA) sanctioned match at the Kirigiti shooting range in Kiambu County over the weekend.
The match which was commissioned by the Chief guest Deputy Inspector General of Kenya Police Service Mr Edward Mbugua, CBS, MBS, OGW, NDC(K), at 8:30am Saturday saw the police chief take his maiden target shot in one of the Courses of Fire (COF) to signal the start of match.
The Tier 3 match brought together over 100 participants drawn from civilians and disciplined forces namely Kenya Police Service (GSU, DCI, ATPU, ASTU, KPC ), Kenya Prisons Services and members of the Kenya Defense Forces who were close to 45 in number and battled it out in the 12 COFs.
Mr Mbugua promised his support for the game to enhance safety, legal ownership and handling of firearms, and pledged his support towards members of the Disciplined Services who are involved in shooting sports, equipment-wise and financially.
The weekend match plus other subsequent matches are geared towards preparing Team Kenya for the African Championships which will be held in Kenya towards the end of the year.
Belinda Akoth from the disciplined forces described the fixture as really tiresome.
“It was a long day. We are used to 8 COFs maximum. The 12 COFs subjected us to fatigue and affected our mental strength,” she said.
The match which was sponsored by Seagas Ltd, Skyward Express and Lusona events saw shooters like CPT Geoffrey Pesa whose performance has been on an upward spiral continue to soar in the Pistol Caliber Carbine (PCC) where he emerged winner, besides emerging overall winner locally with a score of
(228.80) followed by Master Robert Nyamongo (250.08) and Sammy Onyango (255.70) respectively.
IDPA African champion Ian Van der Bank from South Africa, who is on a paid partnership training tour in Kenya also took part in the match whereby he emerged overall winner in combined match results with a score of (201.18 ).
Class and Division winners
MASTER (MA) ESP
1. Ian van der BanK
2. Robert Nyamongo
3. Eric Wachira
MASTER (MA) SSP
1. Sammy Onyango
2. Mohammad Omar
EXPERT (EX) SSP
1. Daniel Kyalo
2. Alex Migwi
EXPERT (EX) ESP
1. Eric Ngumbi
2. Anthony Wahome
3. Samuel Chacha
EXPERT (EX) CCP - Mahir Omar
EXPERT (EX) PCC - Sunny Syan
SHARPSHOOTER (SS) SSP
1. Thomas Kiilu
2. Peter Muli
3. Stanslus Masha
SHARPSHOOTER (SS) ESP - N/A
SHARPSHOOTER (SS) CCP - Ibrahim Ndung’u
SHARPSHOOTER (SS) CDP - Johan Van der Bank
SHARPSHOOTER (SS) CO - Emmanuel Fresco
MARKSMAN (MM) SSP
1. Peter Njoroge
2. Joshua Vundi
3. Belinda Akoth
MARKSMAN (MM) ESP
1. Nick Mijema
2. Dafton Mwitiki
3. Joseph Mbugua
MARKSMAN (MM) CCP
1. Omar Moosa
2. N/A
3. Gikonyo Mwangi
MARKSMAN (MM) CO - James Kariuki
MARKSMAN (MM) PCC
1. Geoffrey Pesa
2. Tony Karanja
NOVICE (NOV) SSP
1. Pravir Vohra
2. Said Mohammad
3. Irene Wanjiku
4. Jaffer Mosheh
5. Priscilla Wangui
NOVICE (NOV) ESP
1. Jane Wanjiru
2. Francis Kinyua
3. Francis Kamau
4. Laban Mutembei
NOVICE (NOV) CCP
1. Mzaham Taib
2. Assam Ali
3. Patrick Makau
NOVICE (NOV) PCC - Sylvester Gitau