Brothers Chris Juma and Benedict Juma got tongues wagging at the historic Kaloleni Social Hall, Nairobi as they punched and skipped their way to their best ever performances at the Kenya Open Boxing Championships.
This opened a new chapter for the young siblings from Mwiki in the Kasarani constituency of Nairobi, as they were selected for the provisional national team, also known as the Hit Squad. They now aim to match the success of some of Kenya's most famous boxing families.
Chris Juma of Kasarani Youth (right) box with Joseph Gatambo of KDF during the Kenya Open Boxing Championship semi finals at Kaloleni Social Hall, Nairobi, on April 3, 2026.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation
They join the rare group of brothers named to the same Hit Squad. Previously, the Waruinge brothers, Philip and Sammy; Nick and Absalom Okoth; David Munyasia and Thomas Khasina; and Morris Okola and Daniel Shisia were all named to the same Hit Squad.
The Kenya Open Boxing Championships is the biggest amateur boxing event in the country, showcasing the best local talent over four days of fights.
Chris, an 18-year-old Form Four student of Mwiki Secondary School, and his elder brother, Ben, who is 20 years old, displayed outstanding boxing skills for their young age, with many tipping them as future world beaters for the Hit Squad.
Chris, who proved too hot for Joseph Gatambo from Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to handle, forcing referee Matthew Ndungu to stop the featherweight semi-final contest in the second round, was in his own class in the final.
Not only did Chris dazzle to claim his maiden Kenya Open title but also did it in style, gaining sweet revenge against Mombasa’s Mwinyi Kombo with a comprehensive 5–0 victory.
The rising teen fighter, who was declared the best boxer in the tournament, had lost to Mwinyi in the 2024 final, and exited in the semi-finals stage of last year’s competition.
Ben Juma of Kasarani Youth (left) box with Erick Odoyo of Kisumu during the Kenya Open Boxing Championship semi finals at Kaloleni Social Hall, Nairobi, on April 3, 2026.
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation
Meanwhile, his older brother Ben stopped Eric Odoyo from Kisumu in the first round of their lightweight semi-final, storming to his maiden Kenya Open final after reaching the semi-finals in 2024 and 2025 as a teenager.
He was primed to stake his claim as, officially, Kenya’s best lightweight boxer but was declared medically unfit to face another youngster, Emmanuel Omollo from Police in the final after suffering a cut on his right eye in one of his earlier skirmishes.
Chris and Ben, are quick to point out families that have provided boxing talent viz Napunyi cousins Robert Wangila and Modesty Oduori of Kenya, and the Klitschko brothers, Wladimir "Dr. Steelhammer” and Vitali “Dr. Ironfist" from Ukraine.
The siblings from Kasarani Youth Boxing Club noted that it has been a long time since Kenya won medals at the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, International Boxing Association (IBA) World Boxing Championship and declared that time was ripe to redeem the Hit Squad image.
“We really mean business,” declared Chris, who started boxing while in Class Six in 2020 to defend himself from estate and school bullies.
“My dream is to go beyond Kenya's borders. I want to make it to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” said Chris, who lured his brother Benedict, fondly called Ben, to boxing in 2022.
But first things first. Chris’s immediate task is to secure a place in Team Kenya for the Commonwealth Games scheduled for July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland and the Africa Boxing Championships due in September in Nairobi.
Chris, a great admirer of Hit Squad skipper Boniface Mogunde and Russian boxer Dmitry Bivol, said it’s his first coach, Ian “Major” Otieno, who taught him boxing.
“He told me it will end badly if learning the game was to suppress those who came his way. While knowing boxing drove fear in bullies, it taught me discipline. That is why I have been able to enjoy it,” said the Mwiki Secondary School student, who hopes to secure a boxing scholarship or employment with the Forces.
Chris noted that coach Otieno was quick to note his talent and ability to grasp techniques of the game quickly.
“These brothers are like raw diamonds that need grinding. They are destined for greatness owing to their shared ambitions, resilience, courage and focus. Their discipline is also high,” said Otieno.
“I was in Class Eight and a candidate then. We were in the same school,” said Ben. “I can’t wait to wear the national colours for the first time. I am already visualising both of us at the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. We need those medals back,” Ben revealed his ambitions.
Robert Wangila, who won welterweight gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and Chris Sande, who claimed a silver medal in the middleweight division at the 1988 Seoul Summer Games, are the last Kenyan boxers to secure podium positions at the Olympics.
Stephen Muchoki is the only Kenyan to win a medal at the World Championship with his gold medal in light flyweight in 1978 in Belgrade, Serbia and a silver at the 1974 Championship in Havana, Cuba.
It’s now 32 years since the country won gold medals at the “Club” Games. The last was via Abdurahaman Ramadhani in light flyweight and Omar Kasongo in heavyweight at the 1994 Victoria Games in Canada.
“These statistics are grim but I believe we can do it with the right training. We already have the talent and coaches, and what we need is sponsorship. We need vibrant local leagues and tournaments. The national team also needs plenty of exposure,” said Ben.
“These brothers are the future of the game. They are among the youngsters we have identified for specialised training. They have a knack for details and that is what every coach wants in his pupil,” said the Hit Squad head coach Benjamin Musa.
“Ben would have made it to the World Championships but we wanted him to finish school first. Chris also needs support to clear school too. These youngsters are resilient, committed and hard working,” said Musa.
