The East African Local Authorities Cultural Association (EALASCA) 2025 Scrabble Tournament, hosted by the Scrabble Association of Uganda at Hamz Stadium, concluded its thrilling two-day event on February 27, 2025, with Willis Anga’wa emerging as one of the standout performers. Representing Kenya’s KEN-KICOSCA team and holding the player number #2, Anga’wa secured an impressive third-place standing in Round 10, boasting a record of 7 wins and 3 losses (7-3) and an astonishing spread of +830 points.
His last game in Round 10 resulted in a decisive 2W:485-407 victory over opponent #7, displaying his mastery of the game’s strategic depth and marking a notable triumph over Turkana Governor Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan, who finished fourth in the tournament with a 7-3 record and a +458 spread.
The County 023 Governor showcased his competitive spirit by securing an impressive fourth place on the leaderboard. The tournament, which featured a diverse range of participants, saw the leader engaging freely with fellow competitors, fostering a vibrant and interactive atmosphere. Lomorukai’s notable performance highlighted his dedication and skill, placing him among the top contenders.
Ang’awa, an administrator with the County Government Siaya in Kenya, brought his analytical prowess from his professional role to the Scrabble board, dominating the competition with a blend of tactical tile placement, high-value bingos, and an uncanny ability to maximize his rack management. A "bingo" – the act of playing all seven tiles in a single turn for a 50-point bonus – is a hallmark of advanced Scrabble play, and Willis’s ability to execute consistently these plays contributed significantly to his towering spread.
His +830 spread, a measure of the cumulative point difference between his scores and his opponents’, reflects not only his offensive prowess but also his defensive acumen in minimizing opponent scores through shrewd board control.
Anga’wa’s consistency in Scrabble is well-documented, having scooped top positions in pre-qualifier performances for previous KICOSCA games. He secured second place in both the Kericho and Kisumu tournaments, third in Mumias, and now third at EALASCA 2025, solidifying his reputation as a prolific player in the regional circuit. His steady rise underscores his expertise in leveraging premium squares like triple-word scores (TWS) and double-letter scores (DLS), constructing high-scoring plays, and blocking opponents’ potential bingos with strategic positional dynamics.
The tournament, which drew players from across East Africa, tested competitors’ lexical knowledge, anagram skills, and strategic foresight. Willis’s victory over Lomorukai in Round 10, where he outscored his opponent by 78 points (485-407), demonstrated his ability to maintain pressure and capitalize on endgame scenarios, where tile tracking and rack leave optimization are pivotal. This win not only highlighted his individual brilliance but also showcased the fierce competition within Team Kenya, where the team spirit proved instrumental. Joining Willis on the Scrabble team were three Siaya County Members of County Assembly (MCAs)—Silas Madingu, Michael Adiala, and Bismark Olang’o – who flanked Lomorukai, adding depth and camaraderie to Kenya’s effort. The MCAs, including Ababa Ragen, participated in football at the EALASCA Tournament under KE-CASA.
These esteemed honorable members committed their time and energy to compete from start to finish in various games, enriching the tournament with their presence and demonstrating a commendable blend of leadership and sportsmanship. Their involvement underscored the event's role in bringing together prominent figures and passionate players alike, making it a memorable occasion in the Scrabble community.
The team spirit for Team Kenya was further bolstered by the remarkable performances of four ladies and three gentlemen from Siaya County, who registered impressive results in the tournament:
Men:
Angawa Willis – 3rd
George Okello – 6th
Julius Odhiambo (Men’s Deputy Captain) – 12th
Ladies:
Merceline Amuga (Ladies Captain), from the Siaya County Water Department – 16th
Rowena Ndeda, from the County Attorney’s Office – 18th
Caroline Omondi, from the Finance Department – 22nd
Esther Amolo, Ward Administrator for East Gem – 25th
These players demonstrated Siaya County’s dominance in the Scrabble arena, with Willis leading the charge and setting a benchmark for technical mastery. His ability to adapt to challenging racks, execute parallel plays, and utilize hook words effectively has earned him accolades from peers and organizers alike.
Upon their return from Uganda, Angawa expressed deep appreciation for the County Government of Siaya, led by Governor James Orengo, for their unwavering support and timely facilitation, which he credited for motivating players to surpass their previous records. He also extended gratitude to the Department of Tourism, Sports, Arts and Culture staff, led by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Angeline Oduor, along with Chief Officers (COs), directors, and John Ang’awa – his personal mentor in Scrabble – for their invaluable input and guidance. “Their support has been transformative, pushing us to elevate our game and achieve new heights,” Willis said, acknowledging the collective effort behind his success.
Going into the future, Anga’wa promised an even better performance, vowing to scoop first place in all future competitions. This ambition is fueled by recent pledges from the County Government of Siaya, which include providing more playing equipment and a more conducive venue – the newly opened Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya Town. “With these resources and support, I’m confident we can dominate the Scrabble circuit and secure the top spot,” Willis declared, signaling his determination to build on his current achievements.
Fellow competitors and tournament organizers praised Willis’s performance, noting his exceptional tile efficiency and adaptability. “Angawa’s command of the board and his vocabulary range are truly remarkable,” said John Chew, the tournament’s technical supervisor, who oversees the tsh software (version 3.340) used to generate standings. “His spread of +830 is a testament to his skill in both offensive plays and defensive blocking, making him a standout in this highly competitive field.”
As an administrator with Siaya County Government, Willis brings a disciplined, strategic mindset to both his professional responsibilities and his Scrabble gameplay. Willis’s participation in the EALASCA tournament also underscores the growing intersection of cultural competitions and professional development, fostering camaraderie and skill-building among East African local authorities.
The EALASCA 2025 Scrabble Tournament featured 33 players from Kenya, Uganda, and other regional associations, with Willis’s KEN-KICOSCA teammate Robert Nguli, taking the top spot with an 8-2 record and a +828 spread. Steve Amwai of Busia County, a perennial threat – who is the only player to have beaten Nguli twice, settled for the second position with an 8-2 record and a +618 spread. However, Willis’s third-place finish, coupled with his impressive statistical dominance, positions him as a rising star in the regional Scrabble circuit. His performance has already sparked discussions about his potential to represent Kenya in international tournaments, where skills like endgame tile tracking and strategic foresight will be put to the ultimate test. Robert Nguli of Kitui County was the EALASCA interim captain for the games. In the women category, the best lady was Esther Mwele of the County Assembly of Kitui at position 10 with a 6-4 record and a +208 spread.
As the Scrabble community looks ahead, Angawa Willis’s exemplary showing at Hamz Stadium serves as an inspiration, blending technical Scrabble mastery with the strategic insight of a seasoned administrator. His journey from Siaya County to the leaderboard of one of East Africa’s premier cultural events highlights the power of intellect, preparation, perseverance, and team spirit in the game of words.