Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) edged out Kenya Police Service by a single point to win the 2026 Kenya Open Boxing Championships held at Kaloleni Social Hall in Nairobi on Saturday.
KDF secured the title after collecting nine gold medals and 23 points, narrowly beating defending champions Kenya Police, who finished with six gold medals and 22 points.
Speaking after the four-day tournament in Nairobi, national team head coach Benjamin Musa praised the level of competition, noting that the event attracted 134 entries from 18 boxing clubs. Of these, 113 were male boxers while 21 were female.
Musa emphasized that the Kenya Open serves as a key selection platform for the national team ahead of major international assignments in 2026.
“The championships serve as a key selection platform for the national team, with standout athletes earning the opportunity to represent Kenya in major international competitions in 2026, including the AIBA World Boxing Championships and the Commonwealth Games,” Musa said.
“This competition gives us a chance to assess athletes, identify the best talent in the country, and begin preparing a strong team that will represent Kenya with pride on the international stage,” he added.
With national team star and light middleweight boxer Robert Mogunde of Kenya Police absent, the tournament provided an opportunity for emerging talents to shine.
Former Jericho Boxing Club prodigy Christopher Musyoki, now with Prisons Kenya, impressed after knocking down Africa bronze medalist Shaffie Bakari in the flyweight category on his way to the finals.
Christopher Juma of Kasarani Youth Boxing Club was named Best Male Boxer, while Jane Wangare of Prisons Kenya was crowned Best Female Boxer.
Kasarani Youth Boxing Club, a new entrant in top-flight boxing, finished an impressive third with eight points and one gold medal. They tied on points and gold medals with Kisumu County, which was named the most improved team.
Kenya Open Points Table:
- Kenya Defence Forces – 23
- Kenya Police Service – 22
- Kasarani Youth Boxing Club – 8
- Kisumu County – 8
- Kenya Prisons Service – 6
- Sombea Boxing Inter-Clubs – 6
- Nairobi County – 5
- Nakuru ABA – 3
- Mombasa County – 2
- Kibra Youth Boxing Club – 2
- G44 Boxing Club – 1
- Lamu County – 1
- Kajiado County – 1
- Meru County – 1
- Laikipia County – 0
- Kiambu County – 0
- Homa Bay County – 0
- Dallas Boxing Club – 0