Kenya stamped its authority on junior tennis in the region after sweeping all the singles titles at the ITF/CAT Eastern African Junior Individual Championships on the clay courts of the Nairobi Club from January 14–17, 2026.

Before a lively home crowd and against strong opposition from across the region, Kenyan players proved unbeatable, claiming every crown in the 14-and-under and 16-and-under singles categories.

The championships, which attracted players from Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Seychelles, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, showcased not only emerging talent but also the depth of junior tennis in the host nation.

From composed top seeds to fearless challengers, the week delivered high-quality tennis and emotional moments that underlined why the event remains a key pathway for young players in Eastern Africa.

In the girls’ 14-and-under final, all eyes were on top seed Bathsheba Ogamba, fondly known as Sheba. At just 13 years old, Sheba lived up to her billing with a commanding straight-sets victory over compatriot and second seed Paula Ouko, winning 6-2, 6-4. The result capped a dominant run in which Sheba barely put a wrong foot throughout the tournament.

Her road to the title began with a first-round bye before she outclassed Florence Nabulime of Uganda 6-4, 6-1, dismantled Tanzania’s Janeth Masawe 6-0, 6-1, and then brushed aside Burundi’s Camilla Koroma 6-3, 6-3 to book her place in the final. Ouko, also benefiting from a first-round bye, had fought her way through a tough draw, beating Uganda’s Angela Anena, eighth seed Samia Irakoze 6-0, 6-1, and then edging fourth seed Selam Mena of Ethiopia 5-7, 6-2, 10-2 in a tense semi-final.

For Sheba, the title carried deep personal meaning. After the final, she reflected on the intensity of the week, saying: “The whole week it’s been really tough. Everyone’s been giving their best and doing what they’ve been taught and applying it to the team. And they’ve really been pushing me to my limits and I had to work hard and dig deep to get the final win.” She added about the final itself, “The finals were tough. She was making me move and I was also making her move. It was a really tough match, but I came over on top because I was a bit tougher today.”

Asked what it meant to finally lift the trophy, Sheba said: “It actually feels good, considering I’ve reached semis like two times and always lost there. But now I’ve won the whole tournament and I’m ready to win doubles too.” She then dedicated the victory to her late grandfather, Raphael Kabaka Shieni, who passed away the previous week. “I dedicate this win to my grandfather. He passed away last week, Wednesday. So this win is for him and I know he’s proud of me. He loved sports,” she said emotionally.

In the boys’ 14-and-under category, second seed Indiatsi Olembo, nicknamed Indy, was equally ruthless. After receiving a first-round bye, Indy did not drop a single set all week, culminating in a dominant 6-0, 6-2 victory over Burundi’s seventh seed Abdoul Nduwimana in the final. Nduwimana had earlier shocked top seed Ethan Dzidzomu of Tanzania in the semi-finals, but Indy proved a class apart when it mattered most.

Kenya’s dominance continued in the girls’ 16-and-under final, where second seed Nancy Kawira once again got the better of top seed Seline Ahoya, winning 6-2, 6-3 in an all-Kenyan showdown. It was a repeat of last year’s final, with Kawira confirming her superiority. In the semi-finals, Ahoya edged Burundi’s Marie Kezakimana 6-3, 2-6, 7-6(3), while Kawira cruised past Ange Ishimwe 6-1, 6-3, dashing hopes of a Burundian upset.

The boys’ 16-and-under final was arguably the match of the tournament.

Top seed Jeff Okuku faced third seed in a tense encounter that lived up to expectations. Okuku eventually prevailed 7-6(4), 7-5, finally overcoming a rival who had beaten him in previous years.

Beaming after overcoming muscle cramp in the sweet win, Okuku said: “Today, I was in the singles finals and it was unbelievable. I won and I was so happy to play. I played that opponent three years in a row and I was losing to him. But today I said I cannot lose.”

He credited a fearless mindset for the breakthrough.

“Today I said no fear. Let me just go there and play my game. If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, it’s okay. And then I just played my game and I won,” Okuku explained.

On what the title meant, he added simply, “It feels amazing. This is my first title. Under 16 in East Africa.”

Looking ahead, Okuku is already focused on the next step. “Next I’m playing ITF after this tournament. And I want to try and just playing my best,” he said, before dedicating the win “to my mum Rita, my coach Rosemary Owino, God, my friends." The hard-hitting Okuku trains 254 Racquet Club, Nairobi.

With the individual championships concluded, attention now turns to the team championships starting January 18 at the same venue, where each country will contest two singles and one doubles match. If the individual event was any indication, Kenya will once again be the team to beat.