KISUMU, KENYA – The Kenya Police boxing team, popularly known as 'Chafua Chafua', were crowned champions of the 2025 National Boxing League on Saturday, 22 November 2025 (EAT), after a fiercely contested final leg at the Ofafa Memorial Hall in Kisumu. The law enforcement team ended the season with a dominant 110 points, reclaiming the title from their arch-rivals and defending champions, the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF).

The soldiers' title defence was ultimately undone by a costly strategic error at the start of the season. KDF's failure to participate in the first leg of the league in Busia created a points deficit they could not overcome, despite strong performances in subsequent legs. This early advantage proved decisive for the Police team.

Entering the final leg in Kisumu, Kenya Police held a 13-point lead over KDF, standing at 60 points to the soldiers' 47. In the final showdown, the Police team secured 30 points to KDF's 24, sealing their victory and ensuring the league trophy returned to Police headquarters. The final standings reflected a two-horse race, with Nairobi County finishing a distant third with 37 points, followed by former champions Kenya Prisons with 28 points, and Nakuru County rounding out the top five with 25 points.

A Season of Intense Rivalry and Strategy

The 2025 season was characterized by a relentless battle for supremacy between the two disciplined forces. While KDF won legs in Nakuru and Nanyuki, they were consistently chasing the point lead established by the police from the outset. Police head coach David Munuhe, who also serves as the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) Secretary-General, attributed the victory to careful planning and rigorous training. "It has not been easy for us this season following our determination to wrestle the league title from the soldiers, which equally is a good side. It was total war to win back the title," Munuhe stated on 24 November 2025.

The victory marks a significant comeback for the Police, who had lost the title to KDF in the previous season. The consistent performance throughout the five legs of the tournament, held in Busia, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nanyuki, and finally Kisumu, underscored their strategic focus.

Individual Brilliance and Final Leg Drama

Beyond the team victory, the tournament celebrated outstanding individual talent. Police officer Boniface Mogunde, the reigning Africa Boxing Championships light-middleweight champion, was named the 2025 Best Boxer of the Year. His teammate, Amina Martha, clinched the title of Best Female Boxer, highlighting a triumphant event for the police squad.

One of the most anticipated bouts of the final leg, the bantamweight (54kg) clash, ended in an anticlimax. KDF's Dennis Muthama was declared the new national champion via a walkover after his formidable opponent, Shaffi Bakari of Kenya Police, was ruled medically unfit to compete due to a cut sustained in the semi-finals. “Despite winning through a walkover, I'm happy that I had prepared well for this bout,” Muthama told Standard Sports on 23 November 2025.

Other notable winners for the Kenya Police team included light welterweight Caleb Wandera, welterweight Wiseman Kavondo, featherweight Paul Omondi, and lightweight Emmanuel Omollo. The KDF side also showcased strong contenders, with exceptional performances from light heavyweight champion Robert Okaka and heavyweight Peter Abuti.

Implications for International Competition

The conclusion of the national league is pivotal for the sport in Kenya, as it finalizes the selection of the 'Hit Squad' that will represent the nation at the Elite World Men Boxing Championships in Dubai, scheduled for 2-13 December 2025. The Boxing Federation of Kenya confirmed the league's schedule was designed to prepare and select a full 13-boxer contingent for the global tournament. The strong performance of the Police boxers boosts their chances of securing a significant number of slots on the national team, offering them a platform for international exposure and glory.