BY PHILLIP ORWA
Nairobi City Thunder (NCT) have received a shot in the arm after a Sh10 million sponsorship from I&M Bank.
Thunder became the first Kenyan club to qualify for the Basketball Africa League (BAL) in 2024, then went on to repeat the feat in 2025, on top of winning the Kenya National Basketball Federation league undefeated two seasons in a row – the 2023/2024 and the 2024/25 campaigns.
I&M Bank Limited announced a Sh10 million investment to support NCT, reaffirming its commitment to the growth of Kenyan sport and youth development.
The investment will see I&M Bank become the team’s Official Banking Partner for the remainder of the 2026 Kenya National Basketball League season, while supporting the club’s ambition to elevate Kenyan basketball onto the continental and global stage.
The deal runs from 25 May 2026 until the conclusion of the season in September 2026, with an automatic extension if the season continues beyond that date, until conclusion.
I&M Regional CEO, Kihara Maina, said: “We are proud to stand with Nairobi City Thunder at a time when the club continues to raise the standard of basketball not just in Kenya, but also across the region. This partnership reflects our commitment to supporting homegrown excellence, investing in youth, and building meaningful connections with communities through sport.”
The NCT club’s CEO and Founder, Colin Rasmussen, termed the partnership a statement of belief from the bank, adding that they hope to build on it to give their fans the perfect experience.
“When people think about basketball, they see the players. What they don’t always see is the ecosystem around it – creators, businesses, event staff, media professionals, and young entrepreneurs. Partnerships like this help grow that entire ecosystem. We are delighted to launch this partnership with I&M Bank today as it provides essential resources and enhances our operational capacity.”
The sponsorship goes directly into supporting Nairobi City Thunder to prepare and participate in upcoming tournaments, ensuring that they have all the necessary requirements to effectively compete in tournaments like the Basketball Africa League (BAL) and beyond.
Forward Tom ‘Bush’ Wamukota said the support would add to the players’ motivation. “This partnership means a lot to us as players because it shows that our work is being recognised at the highest level. Having I&M Bank behind Nairobi City Thunder gives us extra motivation to compete hard, represent the badge well, and make our supporters proud throughout the season.”
Under the agreement, I&M Bank will receive back-of-jersey branding on all game jerseys.
