▪️Serious boxing followers urge President Ruto to transfer the hype and financial support the comedians enjoyed into structured support for amateur and professional boxing
▪️Boxersworld.co.ke has suggested an exhibition boxing match between President Ruto and the boss of Boxing Federation of Kenya Anthony Otieno aka Jamal to raise funds for amateur boxing which is the backbone of this combat sport
▪️Funds raised can be used to introduce BFK Pro Boxing Series to financially empower boxers given the current scarcity of employment opportunities for the fighters
▪️Boxing comedians Majembe and Mbavu Destroyer to visit President Ruto at State House, according to the organiser of their Kasarani circus show Oga Obinna
April 6, 2026
The immense enthusiasm surrounding the boxing match between social media influencers-turned pro boxers Majembe (Portifas Odipo) and Mbavu Destroyer (Ferdinand Omondi) has shone a spotlight on the popularity of boxing in Kenya, while raising critical questions about the support structure for amateur boxers in the country.
Majembe defeated Mbavu Destroyer via a technical knockout amid claims of a controversial blow.
The organiser of the fight pitting the two boxing comedians, Oga Obinna, has announced in a post on X that Majembe and Mbavu Destroyer will soon visit President William Ruto at State House.
“Do not block people’s blessings,” said Obinna in his post which has elicited divergent views with majority of readers on X vilifying Obinna for using the Kasarani circus show to campaign for President Ruto’s second term.
While the “Vurugu Fight Night” match, held at the Kasarani Indoor Arena on April 4, 2026, became a national sensation, generating hype usually reserved for international sporting events, the buzz around this match highlights a paradox in Kenyan boxing.
For many years now, top Kenyan boxers such as the renowned Philip Waruinge, his younger brother Sammy Mbogwa, Dick “Tiger” Murunga and Steve Muchoki, excelled in major events such as the Olympics and World Championships but never received the attention and financial rewards accorded to the boxing comedians.
The excitement generated by this circus should now usher in a blueprint for mainstream boxing revolution. This most successful sport in Kenya after athletics at the big stage urgently needs attention for the government to lead from the front by joining hands with the Boxing Federation of Kenya to come up with a Strategic Plan on Boxing Development focusing on BFK’s Ndondi Mashinani Initiative, constant exposure of Kenyan boxers and refurbishment of social halls in Nairobi, Nakuru, Mombasa and Kisumu to enable boxers train in a more conducive atmosphere and better facilities.
County halls in Nairobi where great boxers such as Steve Muchoki, David Attan and Muhammad Abdallah Kent honed their skills, are in dire need of refurbishment. Last week BFK staged their National Kenya Open Boxing Championships at the historic Kaloleni Social Hall. Like other county halls, Kaloleni is a picture of neglect and adandonment not to mention its deplorable sanitary facilities.
Given the scarcity of employment opportunities, its paramount for the government to use its muscle and bring on board the corporate world to support Kenya’s naturally gifted boxers in amateur and pro boxing.
For instance, the introduction of BFK Pro Boxing Series well funded by the corporates will be a big financial boost to the boxers given the fact that amateur boxers are these days allowed to feature in pro boxing while maintaining their amateur status.
The Kenya Professional Boxing Commission, the body in charge of regulating the barechested game in the country, will also benefit immensely if the government funds its activities.
Positively the Majembe, Mbavu hype has helped to popularise boxing but much will depend on the goodwill from President Ruto and his team to show their commitment on supporting mainstream boxing.
Fueled by TikTok, social media feuds, and dramatic face-offs, the fight drew enormous attention from the public and private companies, even resulting in a sold-out venue.
What cannot be denied is that Kenyans have a strong appetite for “crossover” events where entertainment, social media, and sports collide, often overshadowing real and serious boxing matches. BFK can of course spice their events with aggressive marketing and more entertaiment by including famous GenZ musicians but funding remains a big stumbling block.
Sanctioned by the Kenya Professional Boxing Commission, Majembe has spoken openly about the harsh reality of boxing in Kenya, noting that fighters are neglected, lack adequate financial rewards and poor infrastructure coupled with inadequate equipment.
Interestingly, President William Ruto has been a vocal supporter of the boxing comedians, reinforcing the influence of politics in Kenyan sports entertainment.
President Ruto pledged Ksh 2 million and reportedly delivered Ksh 4 million total via Lang’ata MP Jalang’o to facilitate the fight, with Ksh 1 million going to each fighter’s preparations and another Ksh 2 million to purchase tickets for fans.
The president’s open support of the comedy has been received with mixed reactions with some fans praising the president for his kind gesture while others viewed the intense focus of top political leadership on this match as a diversion from serious economic issues and a sign of support for, at times, unconventional or lower-standard “mediocrity” at the expense of established, high-performing boxers.
Huge financial stakes in this TikTok-fueled match (a Toyota Noah and large cash rewards) contrasts sharply with the lack of sponsorship for Kenyan boxers competing in Olympic-style boxing. Some of the famous Kenyan boxers are currently struggling and living in abject poverty, totally ignored by the government.
There is a growing concern that focusing resources on entertaining boxing comedians could cause Kenya to lose the prestige built by its traditional powerhouse status in amateur boxing.
That’s why supporters of mainstream boxing are calling on President Ruto to apply the same level of enthusiasm and financial support (like funding for Training/KSh4 million) towards the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) to improve training facilities and welfare for serious boxers, to shield Kenya from becoming a “laughing stock” nation that rewards mediocre boxing comedians at the expense of talented Kenyan boxers who have brought the country fame in various international tournaments.
