The heart of Kenyan boxing, for two decades, had yearned for the electrifying atmosphere of a major international tournament. That drought emphatically ended in October 2025 when Nairobi successfully hosted the Africa Boxing Confederation (AFBC) Zone III Boxing Championships at the iconic Moi International Sports Centre (MISC) Indoor Arena, Kasarani. This landmark event, running from October 15th to October 24th, 2025, was not merely a competition but a pivotal moment in the revival of Kenyan boxing, showcasing national pride and a new generation of talent who delivered a formidable performance.
The process of bringing the championships to life was a significant organizational victory for the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK). It required extensive political and logistical maneuvering to secure the hosting rights and refurbish the Kasarani facilities, ensuring they met the required international standards for the eight participating nations. The dedication of the BFK and the government was a clear signal of intent to rebuild the sport following the disappointment of failing to qualify any boxer for the 2024 Paris Olympics. This event became the immediate platform for the “Hit Squad”—Kenya’s national boxing team—to prove their resurgence.
The championship began with mixed results, characterized by a nervous opening day where Kenya registered five losses. However, the team quickly rallied, fueled by the energy of the home crowd. The intense semi-final bouts on October 22nd, 2025, saw nine Kenyan boxers advance to the finals, ensuring a strong presence in the final medal tally. This sustained performance was a testament to the rigorous training regime and renewed morale in the camp. Rising stars like Amina Marthaexemplified this tenacity, winning her semi-final bout in the women’s bantamweight division with a hard-fought 3-2 split-decision victory.
The final bouts, held over October 23rd and 24th, 2025, were where the “Hit Squad” truly shone, particularly the women’s team. Kenya finished the championship in a commendable second place overall, tied with Uganda, having secured 5 Gold, 11 Silver, and 9 Bronze medals, for a total haul of 25 medals(though the official published tally was 24 medals, 5-11-9). This was a major statement, demonstrating a collective team effort and a shift in regional dominance.
The gold medal winners became the new heroes of Kenyan boxing. The women’s team set the pace, securing three of the five gold medals. Veronica Mbithe clinched the first gold in the women’s flyweight category after a tense 3-2 split-decision victory over Uganda’s Brenda Muduwa. Next, Amina Marthadelivered a spectacular performance in the women’s bantamweight final, winning via Referee Stops Contest (RSC) in Round 1 against Tanzania’s Zulfa Yusuf. A thrilled Martha later commented: “I didn’t expect to win in Round One, but I knew I was going to win,” expressing her confidence. The third women’s gold was secured by Frizah Anyango in the light middleweight final, who defeated DRC’s Nsii Muleketsi 4-1.
The men’s team contributed two golds, with the crowning moment coming in the all-Kenyan men’s light middleweight final. Captain Boniface Mogunde, a popular and experienced fighter, dominated his teammate, debutant Alvin Oduor, with a clear 5-0 unanimous decision to secure his first regional gold. In a display of raw power, Silas Onyango also delivered a first-round RSC victory in the men’s light flyweight final against DRC’s Mayala Tsimba, thrilling the local fans and proving that the “Hit Squad” still possesses formidable striking ability.
The veteran presence was epitomized by the inspirational performance of Captain Elizabeth Andiego, East Africa’s first-ever female Olympian boxer. Though a gold medal favorite, Andiego had to settle for a silver medal in the women’s middleweight category after a heartbreaking 3-2 split-decision loss to DRC’s Mwamba Lulua. Her resilience throughout the tournament, however, was a guiding light for the younger members of the team. As an African Military Games champion, Frizah Anyango summed up the team’s new ethos: “I had trained well for this event which gave me confidence… This shows that with hard work and determination, everything is possible.”
The October 2025 AFBC Zone III Championshipstranscended the typical sporting event. It was a successful strategic process that has now provided tangible proof—five gold medals and a second-place regional finish—that Kenyan boxing is on the path to revival. The victories of Mbithe, Martha, Anyango, Mogunde, and Onyango have laid a fresh foundation for the sport, providing the BFK with the momentum and justification needed to secure further investment and target higher goals, notably the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
