Profile
Benard Wanjala brings over 20 years of experience in chess administration, leadership, and strategic development at various levels of the game. His journey reflects a rare blend of sporting passion, institutional leadership, and corporate expertise.
His leadership in chess dates back to his university years at Kenyatta University, where he served as captain of the KU Chess Club in 2006. In 2009, he was elected Student Leader in charge of sports, further demonstrating his organizational and governance capabilities.
In 2013, he founded the Equity Chess Club, which made an immediate impact by winning the National League in its debut season — a testament to his vision, planning, and team-building skills.
Achievements
Wanjala has been instrumental in positioning Chess Kenya as a leading federation not only nationally but increasingly within Africa.
1. Revamping the Federation Website—Creating a comprehensive one-stop digital platform for membership management, tournament registration, financial transparency, and county-level coordination.
2. Data-Driven Sponsorship and Marketing – Utilizing currently collected information to build structured information systems to attract aggressive sponsorship deals and implement professional marketing campaigns.
3. Expanding International Hosting Opportunities – Leveraging his extensive continental and global networks to secure more international events, creating value for players, coaches, arbiters, parents, and other stakeholders.