The Kenya Bowling Association was founded in 1954 and is the governing body for lawn bowls in Kenya with responsibility for development of the game throughout the country (see Strategic Plan 2018-21). It is managed by an Executive Committee and National Council.

There are 7 member clubs in the KBA:

• Nairobi Club
• Karen Country Club
• Limuru Country Club
• Muthaiga Country Club
• Njoro Country Club
• Ruiru Sports Club
• Mombasa Sports Clubs

Kenya plays internationally within the Africa Zone 5 Confederation of Lawn Bowls which comprises the following nations - Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Events

The KBA events are grouped into 3 categories:

• Association Championships - 5 National Competitions open to all Bowlers (these are premium events)
• National Competitions - 3 qualification based competitions where only a limited number of top bowlers are invited to participate
• Associated Licensed Competitions - 8 Licensed Competitions, hosted on behalf of the KBA by individual Bowls Clubs and are open to all Bowlers (these are premium Club events)

History

The KBA was formed in 1954 by an executive committee from Nairobi City Council Bowls Club, Karen Country Club and Vet Lab Sports Club and soon had other Clubs affiliated, notably: Njoro, Royal Nairobi, Limuru, Mombasa Sports Club, Muguga, Nairobi Club, Muthaiga Golf Club, Kenya Meat Commission, Nyeri, Ruiru, Makuyu, Railway Club and latterly Muthaiga Club.

Additionally there were Bowling Greens at Kitale, Kisumu, Thomson’s Falls, Naivasha, Machakos and Mount Kenya Safari Club. At its zenith the association had over 300 active members, regrettably, following the closure of many public facilities, City Park, in particular, and several Club greens including, Vet Lab, Railway, Royal Nairobi, Naivasha, Makuyu, Muguga, Kenya Meat Commission and Muthaiga Golf Club the active membership of the KBA has subsequently dropped to below 100.

Today there are Seven Bowls clubs still playing namely Karen Country Club, Limuru Country Club, Mombasa Sports Club, Muthaiga Club, Nairobi Club, Njoro Country Club and Ruiru Sports Club. Only one of the founder members of the KBA namely Karen Country Club remains active, its Green pre-dating the formation of the KBA by some five years in 1949.

It is abundantly apparent that the sport needs public / municipal / school / college / university and corporate exposure if the youth are to become interested in the game and gain sufficient experience so that they can achieve more success in adulthood. For the mature person it provides a certain amount of gentle exercise in an outdoor environment removed from the pressures of work, the mobile phone and the internet, while enjoying the company of likeminded friends whilst still providing a competitive edge.

The KBA orgainises 14 major Championships during the calendar year and each Club also conduct its own competitions through the four disciplines of play, namely: Singles, Pairs, Triples and Fours. The Kenya Singles Champions, male and female. earn the right to represent Kenya in the Champion of Champions Tournament on the world stage. Similarly our National Team competes in the Atlantic Championships in order to qualify for the World Championships (the Olympics of Bowls) and we also compete at the Commonwealth Games and the Africa States Tournament.

In 2019 the Kenya Bowling Association will be hosting the Africa States Tournament in August/September.