▪️The two promising boxers were supposed to meet in April’s Kenya Open lightweight final at Kaloleni Social Hall but Juma withdrew due to an injury. Now he has fully recovered ready for Omollo
May 12, 2026
Kasarani Youth’s rising star Ben Juma has issued a stern warning to Police’s national champion Emmanuel Omollo, promising fireworks in the lightweight division during the opening leg of the 45th Kenya National Boxing League in Nakuru.
The showdown at Nyayo Gardens, scheduled for May 14-16, 2026, sets the stage for a fiery bout following Omollo’s victory on a walkover against Juma in the Kenya Open lightweight finals at Kaloleni Social Hall.
Ring analysts argue Omollo won the lightweight title on a silver platter without facing Ben Juma who pulled out of the final bout because of an injury sustained in the semi-finals, enabling Omollo clinch the lightweight title on a walkover.
Now Ben has fully recovered and ready to prove he’s the better of the two sensational lightweight boxers who have added more fire! to Kenya boxing.
“I’m not thinking much about Omollo because he isn’t a threat to me, it’s unfortunate I didn’t fight him in the Open finals because I was nursing an injury, I’m ready for him now,” roared Juma in an interview with boxersworld.co.ke ahead of the Nakuru showdown.
There’s also KDF’s IBA World Championships pre-quartefinalist Washington Wandera who still believes he’s the best lightweight despite twice losing to Omollo.
Wandera was beaten by Omollo for the first time in Kisumu during the final leg of the 2025 national league. He again lost to Omollo in the semi-finals of the Kenya Open in April this year at Kaloleni Social Hall, Nairobi.
“I’m not convinced I lost again to Omollo, I beat him,” Wandera told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview after the fight.
Despite twice defeating Wandera, Omollo still respects the KDF boxer whom he says is his friend.
“I can’t look down upon Wandera even if I’ve beaten him twice, this is boxing things change but I’m the best,” says Omollo.
Well, Omollo has to prove himself he’s the best by overcoming the talented Ben Juma, a vicious body puncher who displayed pure class in the Kenya Open Championships.
Ben Juma is aiming to dominate the lightweight berth in this historic 45th season of the Kenya National Boxing League which has since inception in 1981 been recognized as a vital platform for creating champions and promoting the sport across Kenya.
“I believe in myself I want to beat both Omollo and Wandera in Nakuru,” said Juma.
I ask Juma whether he considers Omollo and Wandera as a serious threat in Nakuru.
“None of them are a threat to me, maybe I’m the one who is a threat to them,” said Juma confidently.
Omollo, Ben Juma and Wandera are all aiming to emulate the longest-serving lightweight in Kenya Patrick “Mont” Waweru who represented the national team for 12 years, winning Commonwealth Games silver, African Games gold and two gold medals in the King’s Cup among his accolades.
The other most prominent lightweight achiever so far is Nakuru product Sammy Mbogwa – younger brother to renowned Philip Waruinge – who won a bronze medal at the 1972 Olympic Games. Mbogwa, who moved to Prisons from Nakuru ABC, did however not last long in this particular berth Like Waweru.
Infact he moved to lightweight in the 1972 Olympics to pave way for his brother Waruinge at featherweight.
Among other Kenyan lightweights who shone are 1970 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Kamau Mbugua, Francis Mbagara who represented Kenya at the 1966 Africa Championships, Eldoret-based Alex Oundo, John Olulu, 1974 Fescaaba champion George Oduori, Edward Kinuthia and Karilus Owino whom Mont Waweru says is the toughest Kenyan opponent he fought.
