President William Ruto has joined the mounting excitement surrounding the highly anticipated boxing bout between viral sensations Majembe and Mbavu the Destroyer, pledging KSh 1 million to each boxer ahead of their April 4, 2026 showdown in Nairobi.
The Head of State made the surprise announcement during an interaction with Lang’ata MP Phelix Odiwuor (Jalang’o), who briefed him on the bout that has taken social media by storm.
“This Majembe and Mbavu the Destroyer, I wish them well,” President Ruto said with a smile. “Let them do their thing, and I will place one million for Majembe and one million for Mbavu.”
In addition to the cash pledge, the President announced he would sponsor tickets for 2,000 fans, splitting them evenly between the two camps—1,000 tickets for Majembe’s supporters and 1,000 for Mbavu the Destroyer’s fans.
The bout, organized by comedian and media personality Oga Obinna, has rapidly evolved from online banter into one of Kenya’s most talked-about amateur sporting events.
Scheduled for April 4, 2026, the fight will take place in Nairobi, with organizers expected to unveil the official venue in the coming weeks.
Several prominent figures have also thrown their weight behind the contest. While Oga Obinna pledged an initial KSh 1 million winner’s prize, businessman Oketch Salah added KSh 200,000 to support both boxers and boost the prize pool.
Jalang’o publicly backed Mbavu the Destroyer, while celebrated rapper Khaligraph Jones declared his support for Majembe.
Meanwhile, Nairobi’s Chief Officer for Citizen Engagement and Customer Service Geoffrey Mosiria offered to personally train one of the boxers as part of the preparations.
Jalang’o, who has played a key role in promoting the bout, welcomed the President’s endorsement, with the two echoing the fight’s popular rallying cry, “weka mawe!”
The surge in interest around amateur boxing began in late 2025 after Majembe’s TikTok videos—showcasing his boxing skills while calling out challengers—went viral.
Several content creators responded, but it was Mbavu the Destroyer’s challenge that captured the public imagination, setting the stage for a clash that now promises packed stands, major prize money, and national attention.
