On Thursday, 28th August 2025, Kibabii University hosted a fencing delegation from North Carolina, United States of America, in a visit aimed at establishing collaboration with the University’s Center for Creative Performing Arts and Sports (CECPAS).
Fencing, a fast-paced Olympic sport where two athletes engage in combat using specialized swords is relatively new in Kenya. The discipline features three weapons: the foil, epee, and sabre, each with unique rules and scoring methods. Though still in its infancy locally, fencing has already registered remarkable success at the Kakuma Refugee Camp, signaling strong potential for growth in the country.
The visiting team, Jennifer Kay and Jeffrey Edwin from Forge Fencing Academy, one of the top training facilities in the USA, was received by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Student Affairs), Prof. Joshua Ogendo, alongside the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Planning, Partnerships, Research and Innovation), Prof. Julius Maiyo.
Speaking during the event, CECPAS Director Dr. Edwin Masibo expressed his gratitude to the Forge Fencing team for seeking partnership with Kibabii University. He emphasized the transformative potential of the sport, noting that with the right investment and collaboration, the University could develop athletes capable of competing at the highest international levels.
“Just as Kibabii University produced Olympians in Taekwondo, we can do the same with fencing,” he affirmed.
The Dean of Students, Dr. Leonida Makila, also welcomed the initiative, lauding the Fencing Academy’s interest in nurturing the sport in the University. She assured the team that her Office, in collaboration with CECPAS, would provide the necessary support to ensure fencing takes root and thrives within the University.
Forge Fencing Academy is renowned for producing world-class athletes who represent the United States in international competitions. With the USA set to host the World Inter-University Games in 2029, hopes are high that Kibabii University will field athletes born out of this partnership, marking a new era for fencing in Kenya.
