June 28 - Kenyan golfers and their American friends have raised $1500 for needy children in a charity golfing tournament held in a Chicago suburb.

Ndung’u Waweru of Columbus, Ohio, won the tournament, organized by Uhuru Open, a charity group based in Oakland, Ca. The group helps to raise funds for needy children in Kenya through seven golf tournaments across the United States annually.

The tournament held June 19 at Hoffman Estates attracted players from 10 U.S. states including California, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Massachusetts, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Waweru scored 80 points playing off a 10 handicap that gave him a net of 70 points after about five hours of play on the 18-hole golf course at the Poplar Creek Country Club.

Daniel Kibe, from Indiana placed second in the tournament followed by Kaburi Kariuki, a California resident.

Rachel Njuguna, from Indiana, won the women’s trophy. She scored 93 points over a gross of 113. Sarah Ogeto and Linda Barr-Fallenbaum were second and third respectively. Uhuru Open was founded in 2000 by Kariuki, 34, to help 10 grade-one children in Ngomongo, one of the most improvised slums in Nairobi.

“So far, the charity group has helped 54 children from Ngomongo and another Nairobi slum in Kibera.” said Kariuki.

Four of the students gained admission to Alliance High School, one of Kenya’s premier secondary schools, Kariuki said. In October 2003, Uhuru Open presented $3000 to Alliance to fund four annual scholarships.