▪️She’s going for her third light-flyweight title in a row in the National Open Boxing Championships at Charter Hall from April 1-4
March 29, 2026
Smooth-talking Africa Zone 3 light-flyweight champion Veronica Mbithe aka Pioneer (pictured) is a perfect blend of feminine elegance and intellectual violence when in the ring.
While Mbithe brings girlish touch in boxing, she remains committed on the ideals of this tough combat sport that requires resilience, determination and perseverance.
Not many fans are aware that the Landy Mawe-bred Mbithe is going for a treble in the Boxing Federation of Kenya’s National Open Boxing Championships starting on April 1 at Nairobi’s Charter Hall.
She’s the two-time National Open light-flyweight champion. Victory in the finals will enable her win the Open title for three times in a row, emulating the doyen of women’s boxing in East Africa Liz Andiego who has won the Open title a dozen times.
In the 2025 Open Championships, Mbithe outpointed Nairobi’s Faith Nafuna in the finals of the light-flyweight division.
The Armed Forces Corporal put up a polished display, showing considerable improvement in her boxing style, getting over her past swimming approach.
With Nafuna now in Eldoret attending KDF training, Mbithe is unchallenged unless a newcomer springs a surprise. Much will be known during the weigh-in and boxers registration in the light-flyweight category next Wednesday.
Mbithe horned her skills at Dallas Boxing Club from 2014 under coach Charles Mukula who at one time had to intervene to convince Mbithe’s mum, Esther Nziva, to let her daughter pursue boxing.
To show her dislike for the sport, Mbithe’s mum had hidden her training kit in a desperate attempt to keep her away from boxing.
Hours of persuasion by coach Mukula forced Mbithe’s mum to reluctantly accept her daughter remains in boxing.
Mbithe’s employment by KDF, however, changed her negative perception on boxing. She became a big beneficiary of her daughters earnings as she poured money on her salon business that is now thriving.
Mbithe the pioneer became the first ever female boxer to be employed by KDF in 2018, paving way for others such as Friza Asiko, Pauline Chege and Agnes Wambua to follow suit.
Her diligence at work enabled Mbithe rise to the rank of Corporal, becoming the first female boxer to be promoted to that position.
In a past interview with boxersworld.co.ke, Mbithe attributed her success in life to boxing. “Through boxing, I now have a job, and I’m now a Corporal,” says Mbithe, adding: “Boxing has empowered me greatly not forgetting changing my family’s life, it also has opened other avenues and channels, I urge female boxers to work hard and be patient to make it in life.”
Whom does Mbithe single out for her success in boxing and the military?
“My success is not just pegged on one person but several notably Colonel Paul Mungori who gave us women a chance in the KDF boxing team, secondly coach Charles Mukula who taught me boxing straight after high school at Dallas Boxing Club in Muthurwa Estate, I still visit Mukula at Dallas to train with him and encourage boxers at my former club. I can’t forget my roots, Mukula made me what I am today in boxing.”
Mbithe has several admirers including rising boxing giant Ellah Demesi who recently represented Kenya’s youth team in the Futures U19 tournament in Bangkok, Thailand.
A member of Kibra Youth Club, Ellah is following in the footsteps of Mbithe.
She’s among the upcoming female boxers who will throng Charter Hall to watch their idol Mbithe doing her thing in the National Open Championships.
Don’t miss the National Open Championship showdown. It’s going to be a blast.
For the uninitiated: “Intellectual violence” in the boxing ring refers to the use of high-level boxing intelligence (Fight IQ), strategy, and psychological manipulation to dominate an opponent, rather than relying solely on brute physical strength. It is the mental aspect of “The Sweet Science,” where a boxer breaks down an opponent’s patterns, exploits weaknesses, and forces them into mistakes, turning a physical contest into a tactical, often psychological, battle.
boxersworld.co.ke
