President William Ruto has expressed support for the much-publicised boxing clash between Mbavu Destroyer and Majembe, acknowledging the excitement the bout has generated among Kenyans ahead of its staging on Saturday, April 4, 2026 at Kasarani Indoor Arena.
The two amateur fighters, Ferdinand Omondi, known as Mbavu Destroyer, and Portifas Odipo, popularly called Majembe, have drawn widespread attention for more than two months, building anticipation as they prepare to face off in a contest that could mark a turning point in their boxing journeys.
Both come from low-income areas within Nairobi and have used the spotlight to position themselves for growth in the sport.
In a short video shared on his social media platforms, Ruto joined in on the growing buzz surrounding the match and extended his best wishes to both boxers as they step into the ring. He also revealed a financial backing for the fighters, placing Sh1 million on each of them ahead of the bout.
"I wish them the best of luck. Let them go do their best in the fight. I place Ksh1 million for Majembe, and another Ksh1 million for Mbavu Destroyer," he said.
The upcoming contest is expected to come with additional rewards for the participants, including cash prizes, adding to the motivation for both fighters as they prepare for the encounter.
The build-up to the fight has drawn comparisons to earlier high-profile boxing hype witnessed in the country, particularly the 2023 clash between Tanzanian boxer Karim Mandonga and Kenya’s Daniel Wanyonyi.
That fight, held at KICC on January 14, 2023, was a 10-round middleweight contest in which Mandonga, also known as Mtu Kazi, emerged victorious. Although Wanyonyi appeared to control the early stages, Mandonga managed to shift momentum in the middle rounds and secured a technical knockout in the fifth round.
Following the win, Mandonga credited his outspoken approach and the attention he attracted before the fight as part of what contributed to his success. He also thanked the Tanzanian government for its backing, alongside his family and supporters who stood by him during his time in Nairobi.
