▪️ Wanjau’s daughter Monica Njoki aka Koki says their dad will be buried on June 8 next to her late mum at their residence in Kamulu located to the North East of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). It borders Joska (Matungulu) in Machakos County to the east
▪️Breweries Boxing Club’s most successful team manager James Ondimu leads Wanjau’s teammates, Ibrahim “Surf” Bilali, Athanus Nzau, Hosea Maina and George Mwangi to condole with Wanjau’s family in Nairobi South B
June 2, 2026
The family of the late Kenyan boxing legend, John “Duran” Wanjau, is choosing to celebrate his legacy with remarkable peace, transforming their mourning into a tribute of his celebrated in-ring life.
Though the blow of losing their patriarch was hard, the relaxed, dignified mood in the Wanjau home reflects a family that has swallowed the punch like their dad used to do in the ring, and gracefully accepted his demise.
Rather than dwelling in sorrow, the family members are sharing fond memories of the champion’s storied career, leaning on community support, and honoring him as both a nation-building fighter and a much-loved father who passed on May 29 at his daughter’s house, Monica Njoki aka Koki who recalls his dad’s last words to her before his eyes closed for good.
“I’m going to heaven, that’s my home,” Wanjau told Njoki.
“My father has been ailing from Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) for a year, eventually he breathed his last in my house,” Njoki told boxersworld.co.ke in an interview at Nairobi South B.
“We have spent over Ksh3.6 million on his treatment. It’s a big loss but we’ve taken it in our stride and decided to celebrate his illustrious career,” said Njoki who is disappointed at the shoddy manner the Kenya government handles most of the famous sportsmen and women.
“I’m very disappointed with our government, using and dumping legends but pamper corrupt politicians,” said Njoki. She has appealed to the government to support their family during this painful period.
On June 1, 2026, Njoki welcomed Wanjau’s teammates at Breweries Boxing Club who visited them to condole with the family. They were led by the most successful team manager of the club at the time James Ondimu. The four boxers were Olympic bronze medallist Ibrahim Bilali, George Mwangi, Athanus Nzau and Hosea Maina.
Njoki said the late renowned Wanjau will be buried next to his wife on June 8 at his Kamulu farm located to the North East of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD). It borders Joska (Matungulu) in Machakos County to the east.
The service will be at Winners Chapel on Mombasa Road from 10am followed by the burial.
In addition to Njoki, her other siblings are Dorcas Wambui, Naomi Wanjau, boxer David Muchiri and Suzannah Lilly Wanjau.
With both parents gone, Njoki said they will soldier on and battle life with courage and tact the same way their celebrated dad tackled different opponents in the ring.
Wanjau represented Kenya from 1978 to 1988, featuring twice in the Olympics of 1988 in Seoul, South Korea and 1984 in Los Angeles in the USA. He was a member of the famous 1987 Hit Squad which won eight gold medals in the Nairobi African Games, Wanjau accounting for one of the eight gold medals at featherweight.
He was a tactical boxer and smart body puncher. His clubmate at Breweries Athanus Nzau will tell us more on the pain he went through – courtesy of Wanjau’s digging body blow – in our farewell story coming soon.
