David Munyua stunned the world of darts on Thursday with a 3-2 victory over Mike De Decker, but Luke Humphries has long been aware of the talent on offer in Kenya
David Munyua made Kenya proud on Thursday when he triumphed over Mike De Decker 3-2 in what could be one of the biggest upsets ever witnessed at the World Darts Championship. However, Luke Humphries has long recognised the darting prowess that Kenya can produce.
Munyua quickly became a fan favourite with his joyful, dance-filled entrance during his first-round match against major champion De Decker and he was expected to be beaten.
But after a game that included impressive checkouts, a crucial miscount and an encounter with the Ally Pally wasp, he further endeared himself to fans with a stunning 3-2 victory. As Africa’s only representative at this year’s tournament, Munyua’s win may not have surprised leading contender Humphries.
African darts grabbed headlines back in 2024 when a World Darts Championship qualifying match in Kenya went viral. The match saw Peter Wachiuri take on Patrick Ocheng, with the winner representing East Africa and going head-to-head with Cameron Carolissen in a grand final to determine who would compete in last year’s Worlds.
Wachiuri emerged victorious amid a cacophony of noise from fans wielding vuvuzelas and other instruments, creating a chaotic scene that took the internet by storm.
READ MORE: PDC make decision on Fallon Sherrock’s table gesture after ex Cameron Menzies’ meltdownREAD MORE: Luke Littler has brilliant response to David Munyua’s World Darts Championship comeback
Despite eventually losing to Carolissen, who averaged an impressive 95 in his opening round match in London against tournament dark horse Wessel Nijman before exiting, the Kenyan player certainly left his mark.
But the effect this video had was extraordinary, so much so that Wachiuri was invited to the UK to compete on the Modus Super Series. He also failed to qualify this year, but his compatriot Munyua did make it through. Wachiuri was at Ally Pally to witness his friend’s victory.
In 2024, when the original video of Wachiuri’s clash went viral, then-world champion Humphries couldn’t resist commenting and demonstrated he had enormous respect for Kenyan darts well before Munyua’s heroics.
Humphries posted under a video of the match: “World Series event in Kenya! What an epic atmosphere that would be!” He also said: “I want Kenyan commentators as well. This would 100 per cent add to the excitement! They won’t have a clue what’s happening when me and Luke [Littler] are slamming treble 20s in left right and centre!”
Munyua was cheered on enthusiastically by the crowd during his victory over De Decker, further highlighting the support that he and fan favourites like Wachiuri are capable of generating.
The full-time vet demonstrated just how talented Kenyan darts players are on Thursday, perhaps bolstering Humphries’ call for an event to be staged in the country in the near future.
When it was suggested that he could somehow go all the way in the competition, Munyua said: “A million pounds would be great for me, but not only for me, my people back home and my family.
“It would be life-changing for them, and for charities as well. It would do massive things. We have a big chance to grow the sport, we need support, we also need to support other sports. We have brilliant athletics in our country, but other sports need to match.”
