▪️Now that President Ruto has shown interest in boxing by supporting the comedians, an exhibition match between the Head of State and Boxing Federation of Kenya President Anthony Otieno aka Jamal can be organized to raise funds for BFK. In 1974 Uganda’s President Idi Amin, a former boxer, KO’d national team head coach Grace Seruwagi in a sparring session before the start of the Africa Elite Boxing Championships in Kampala
09/02/2026
President William Ruto’s involvement in a boxing comedy match dubbed the “Mawe” showdown scheduled for April 4, 2026, in Nairobi has ignited a big debate among boxing stakeholders in Kenya.
While the event—featuring viral TikTok personalities Majembe and Mbavu Destroyer—is being promoted as a major entertainment spectacle, the government has drawn criticism from some quarters for supporting a comedy-style fight instead of investing in established organisations and boxers who have historically brought glory to the country.
President Ruto, along with various influencers and politicians, has backed the fight between Majembe and Mbavu Destroyer promising each one of them Ksh 1 million prize money.
The fight, organized by entertainer Oga Obinna, has generated massive social media hype, with politicians like Langata MP Jalang’o supporting the event, prompting boxing purists to question if the focus should be on elevating amateur boxing standards instead of viral stunts.
Ruto has pledged to sponsor 2,000 tickets for fans, further highlighting the high level of state engagement in this specific match.
Personally I don’t see any harm in Kenyan comedians making money through boxing but critics point out that this investment and attention for a comedy fight contrasts sharply with the reality on the ground.
Looking at it positively, the comedians are popularising boxing, and consequently the President will have to address the urgent financial needs of the sport and the importance of having a Strategic Plan to enable Kenya regain its glorious past in the ring.
For many years now the government has neglected boxing despite the sport being second to athletics in terms of achievements in major international events such as the Olympic, Commonwealth and African Games including the World Championships and the African Elite Boxing Championships.
Boxing purists therefore hope President Ruto’s involvement in this boxing comedy is a prelude to the government’s serious engagement with the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) to come up with a holistic and multi-faceted approach to improve this popular sport among the Kenyan youth.
Now that the President has shown interest in boxing, how about a four-round exhibition match between the Head of State against the Boxing Federation of Kenya President Anthony Otieno aka Jamal to raise funds for BFK’s activities?
This match will definitely draw worldwide attention, and will be a further testament to the President’s commitment in supporting Kenyan youth through sports like he did during the 2025 CHAN football tournament in Nairobi, motivating the Kenyan players with financial rewards. That was commendable gesture. The President changed the lives of those youngsters.
He can do the same with this boxing fund raiser. I recommend national team head coach Musa Benjamin to handle the President’s preparations and teach him how he can apply the boxing philosophy to retain his title in the 2027 General Election..
In 1974, Uganda’s President Idi Amin knocked out the national team head coach Grace Seruwagi in a sparring session before the start of the Africa Elite Boxing Championships in Kampala.
Boxing insiders told me this one was a grudge match. Amin had not forgotten the painful beating he was handed by Seruwagi when both of them were active boxers in the 1950’s to early 60s. He was now the President and decided to pick on Seruwagi aiming to avenge the defeat. Heavyweight Idi Amin was a very happy man after that “KO victory.”
Who will dominate President Ruto vs Jamal four rounder if it happens?
On paper, the President has an edge over Jamal because of his speed, agility, good footwork and craftiness. The President will however be cautioned to watch out for Jamal’s haymaker which can uproot a baobab tree.
The money raised in this fight will be a big boost to boxing development. BFK, the sole governing amateur boxing body in Kenya, is in dire need of sponsorship to support the Kenya National Boxing League, constant exposure of boxers to big tournaments in Europe and its Ndondi Mashinani initiative aimed at tapping talent from the grassroots.
With the International Boxing Association (IBA) having its own pro boxing shows, its affiliates including BFK can also organise their own version of pro boxing to empower the boxers financially. This is one of the issues the government can discuss with BFK now that they’ve shown interest in boxing by supporting April’s comedy show.
The Kenya Professional Boxing Commission (KPBC), have welcomed the surge in boxing’s popularity and media attention, hoping that they too will get the government’s attention to support Kenya’s pro boxers acquire a sponsor. KPBC chairman Reuben Ndolo has repeatedly urged the government to support them. Even pro boxer Morris Okolla has expressed his displeasure on the government giving them the cold shoulder citing the absence of senior ministry officials in pro boxing matches in Kenya.
Ring analysts argue that in case the government will not go a step further to support mainstream boxing following their involvement in this comedy show, observers will view the interest as a publicity stunt and in the process may end up with egg on their face. The impression the government will create is treating boxing as a passing novelty rather than a serious discipline in need of urgent attention to improve the standards of the sport, proper infrastructure and remuneration for the boxers. Such an attitude will undermine the many years of dedication by the boxers in the sport.
Boxing purists will be left wondering if President Ruto can pay boxing comedians Ksh 1 million, why can’t he do the same for some former star boxers such as the late Philip Waruinge, his younger, brother Sammy Mbogwa, Steve Muchoki, Ibrahim and Suleiman Bilali, Kamau Wanyoike and the late Dick “Tiger” Murunga to mention but a few.
Take note, some of them may have left us but they still have their families around to benefit from such monetary reward. Prezo Willy can even double up that amount because he’s known for his generosity.
boxersworld.co.ke
