“Taken too soon”: Brookside International School mourns chess champ Hawi
This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.
- Brookside International School paid tribute to Hawi Barry Kaloki, a 19-year-old chess prodigy who passed away on August 10, 2026
- Kaloki was Kenya's top-ranked chess player and was set to make his debut at the 2026 World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- The young champion is survived by his sister Zuri Kaloki, a Woman FIDE Master who was also selected for the same Olympiad squad
Brookside International School has broken its silence on the death of Hawi Barry Kaloki, a 19-year-old chess champion who passed away on August 10, 2026.
His death came weeks before what would have been his biggest stage yet.
How did Brookside International School mourn Hawi?
In a heartfelt tribute shared on Facebook on Saturday, August 15, the school described Kaloki as "a brilliant and admirable young man" who had touched the lives of students across the country through his gift for chess.
The post, which quickly drew an outpouring of grief from the public, remembered him as calm, studious, and intellectually sharp beyond his years.
"Hawi, you were a giant among us, on the chessboard and in the classroom alike. Though you have been taken from us far too soon, the mark you left on Brookside International School and on Kenyan chess will not fade. You will be remembered, you will be missed, and you will always be admired. Rest in eternal peace, our hero," the tribute read.
Who was Hawi Kaloki?
Kaloki had built a remarkable record in a very short time. He held a Classical FIDE rating above 2,100, which placed him as Kenya's top-seeded player in 2024.
He won the Kenya National Junior Under-21 Championship that same year, then followed it up by claiming the Kenya Under-18 title in 2025.
Playing for KCB Chess Club, he was named MVP of the Kenya National Chess Premier League after completing the season without a single loss.
His international ambitions were equally impressive. He had already represented Kenya at the 2025 World Junior Chess Championships in Montenegro and the 2026 African Individual Chess Championship in Botswana.
His father has since said that Kaloki dreamed of one day earning the title of Grandmaster.
All of that came to an end just weeks before he was due to compete at the 2026 World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, an event that would have marked his biggest international appearance to date.
His younger sister, Woman FIDE Master Zuri Kaloki, was also selected for the same Olympiad squad, meaning the siblings were set to represent Kenya together on the world stage.
Kaloki is scheduled to be buried on August 21, 2026, in Mbooni. Memorial services are currently being held daily in his honour, while fundraising chess blitz matches are being organised as part of efforts to celebrate his legacy.
See the post below:
Kenyans mourn
Kenyans across social media responded with visible grief and shock to the school's tribute.
Ann Nderi wrote:
"My condolences to his family and in particular his sister Zuri. Can't begin to comprehend what they are going through. May God grant His soul repose and his family peace."
Kennedy Boge:
"What's happened to this young boy, Haki 😭😭"
Salome J. Marangu wrote:
"This has made me shed tears!! Having interacted with the school, I feel the loss 😭"
Benson Musembi Mutiku:
"Such a painful loss. RIP our hero"
Jose Kim Ndeto Kim:
"Oooooh....so sad..may you continue dancing with angels, young champ"
Rosina Nzioki:
"Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let the perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen"
How did Moi Nyeri pupils excel in chess?
TUKO.co.ke also highlighted facts about the remarkable achievement of pupils from Moi Nyeri Complex Primary School, who qualified for the prestigious World Schools Team Chess Championship after an unbeaten run at the Africa Schools Team Chess Championship.
This historic accomplishment not only showcases their talent and discipline but also reflects the potential of young learners to excel on a global stage, inspiring future generations to dream big.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.