The referee Nelson Otieno announces Let’s get ready to rumble battle between Kibra’s Abubakar Hakeem (left) and Douglas Muya from Thailand boxing club in their heavy weight fight during the Nairobi County Boxing Second Leg held at the Truth Club, Nairobi. August 5, 2023. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
Three top Kenyan referees cum judges have been invited by Confederation of African Boxing (AFBC) for the International Boxing Association (IBA) Star Three training in Conakry, Guinea from May 16-26.
They are Nelson Otieno of Kenya Defence Forces, Edward Mwaura of Kenya Prisons, and Sam Obiero of Nairobi City County.
Currently, the trio is IBA-Star-Two referees/judges, a feat that only allows them to officiate in the Commonwealth Games as the highest global tournament besides other continental championships like Africa Boxing Championships, All Africa games and the zonal continental championships.
Once successful with IBA-Star-Three course, it’ll give them valid licences to officiate in the World Boxing Championships and at the Olympics, a feat that has never been achieved by any Kenyan referee/judge since independence.
The two-week course will happen on the sidelines of Africa Youth Championships at the West African capital where Kenya has not fielded a team.
For years, retired referee cum judge Nakuru-based Joseph Mwangi Muthoga was the highest-ranked Kenyan who always officiated in the Commonwealth Games and other continental championships.
Yesterday, the trio was happy for the honour bestowed on them by the continental boxing federation, saying it’ll go a long way in boosting the standards of the game locally and in the continent.
“Besides boosting the local officiating standards, it’ll enhance our chances of hosting different international assignments, and I must thank KDF Boxing Federation under the chairmanship of Paul Mung’ori for allowing me time for this specialised training,” Otieno told Standard Sports.
He thanked Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) president Anthony ‘Jamal’ Ombok for steadying the ship that has ensured Kenyan referees and judges attain the highest global training that guarantees them allocation of slots to do their work at the global level.
“It’s a dream come true, and must appreciate and push for more Kenyans to reach this level,” said Otieno who works for Kenya Defence Forces.
Mwaura (Edward), who is also the Kenya Prisons Boxing Club Secretary General, confirmed the new development, saying it gives them a chance to mingle with the best in the continent.
“This is a chance to prove ourselves and give Kenya the best,” he said.
Obiero said he was getting ready for the big assignment.
They represent the Eastern Africa region, and the development prepares Kenya to take its rightful position as another continent’s boxing powerhouse as it was in the past.
Ben Ahenda
| May 10, 2025