Ruto delivers Ksh4M promise for Mbavu Destroyer vs Majembe showdown
By Nancy Marende, February 9, 2026President William Ruto has fulfilled his Ksh4 million pledge towards the highly anticipated boxing showdown between Mbavu Destroyer and Majembe, giving a major boost to the local boxing scene ahead of the April 4, 2026, bout.
The support was delivered through Lang’ata Member of Parliament (MP) and media personality Phelix Odiwuor, popularly known as Jalang’o, who broke down the contribution as follows: Ksh2 million for the purchase of 2,000 match tickets, Ksh1 million awarded to Mbavu Destroyer, and Ksh1 million to Majembe.
Speaking during the announcement on Monday, February 9, 2026, media personality Oga Obinna, who is the event organiser, expressed gratitude to the president, saying the support marks a turning point for the sport.
“Mr President, asante sana. We are very grateful. This is how we are going to be changing this game, one match at a time. Tumeanza na boxing. Kama uko na time, kuja u-attend. We will let people know how they can access the tickets the President has bought,” Obinna said.
On his part, Jalang’o emphasised the importance of long-term investment and consistency in growing boxing in Kenya, calling on stakeholders to focus beyond single events.
“What I want is for us to be part of building the boxing fraternity. Sometimes, take one thing and follow it until the end; that is the best way. It’s called consistency. We need platforms for these athletes: halls, training spaces, and proper systems, so that one day at a time we can change a sport,” he said.
“I am team Mbavu Destroyer. I will talk to the president to see if he can attend, but it will be crazy. We don’t want to turn this into a political rally—let people just enjoy. Guys, let us come out on April 4, 2026.”
This comes a day after President Ruto announced the cash backing to the boxing match between Majembe and Mbavu Destroyer.
Speaking on Sunday, February 8, 2026, when he met Jalang’o, the Head of State cleverly used the viral phrase Weka Mawe to market his flagship development programmes.
“Okay, Jalas, uyu Majembe na Mbavu Destroyer, uyu wa kuweka mawe, mimi nawekeea Majembe one million na Mbavu Destroyer one million. Hii ni mbaya,” he added.