How Dandora boda boda rider Silas Onyango made it to World Boxing Championship

• Kenya’s rising boxing hopeful Silas Onyango heads into the global stage
• He has ambitions to secure Kenya’s first individual medal at the World Boxing Championship
• He is focused on making history since Stephen Muchoki triumphed in the light flyweight category

Kenya’s rising boxing hopeful, Silas Onyango, heads onto the global stage with ambitions to secure Kenya’s first individual medal at the World Boxing Championship.

He is focused on making history since Stephen Muchoki triumphed in the light flyweight category at the 1978 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

His recent performances have positioned him as one of the most promising talents within the national boxing setup. Onyango now appears as a resilient and determined boxer.

How Did Silas Onyango End Up Boxing and Riding Boda Boda?

Silas Onyango, a boda boda rider from Dandora, is a member of Kenya’s “Hit Squad”. He drew attention last month after defeating Congo’s Mayala Tsimba to win the Africa Zone III title in Nairobi.

This marked a significant improvement from his international debut at the Africa Boxing Championships in Kinshasa last year, where he exited in the quarter-finals.

Now representing Kenya Police, he is central to head coach Benjamin Musa’s long-term strategy that seeks to inject fresh talent ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The 28-year-old father of four has worked toward this opportunity since taking up boxing in 2012. Onyango said his dream of representing Kenya has remained constant despite setbacks.

He noted that God has been faithful to him by answering his prayers to represent Kenya the World Boxing Championships. It’s still unbelievable that he rose from Dandora Phase II to compete at the global stage.

Onyango’s Boxing Breakthrough

Silas Onyango had his breakthrough in 2024, earning a place at the Africa event despite having previously missed numerous national call-ups. Some of which he attributes to unfair selection processes.

He explained that his routine 12-kilometre jogs from Dandora to Kariobangi Boxing Club or the Police Depot became necessary because he lacked bus fare. That discipline, he said, eventually paid off.

Onyango also revealed that he had initially been dropped from the Africa Zone III team before later being recalled, an experience that strengthened his resolve.

He credits Kariobangi coaches Okungu and Dalmas Otieno for identifying and nurturing his talent. His boxing journey began in 2011 after his friend, Mose Pablo of the Kenya Prisons Boxing Team, introduced him to the sport.

However, the path was not smooth. One of his lowest moments came in 2017 when, despite convincingly defeating a Kenya Police opponent, he was left out of the national team without explanation.

It took him seven years to join the Hit Squad. Born on July 12, 1998, Silas Onyango is the eldest of seven children raised by Alphonse and Jane Onyango in Dandora.

His family background and early struggles pushed him to excel on the international stage. Onyango maintains that encouragement from Okungu and Otieno kept him focused even when opportunities seemed elusive.

His selection for major continental events last year, and now the World Boxing Championships are an indication of a turning point in his career.

Who are Representing Kenya at World Boxing Championships?

Coach Musa selected a squad of 13 players, including nine newcomers, acknowledging that many senior boxers are nearing the end of their careers.

The new inclusions include the following:

1. Flyweight Kelvin “Young” Maina (KDF)
2. Featherweight Paul Omondi (Police)
3. Lightweight Washington Wandera (KDF)
4. Light welterweight Caleb Wandera (Kenya Police)
5. Welterweight Wiseman Kavondo (Kenya Police)
6. Cruiserweight Chrispin Ochanda (KDF)
7. Super-heavyweight Clinton Macharia (Kenya Police)

In weight categories with strong competition, Musa has opted to field two boxers. Dennis Muthama (KDF) and Shaffi Bakari (Kenya Police) will represent the bantamweight category.

Omondi and Mwinyi Kombo (Prisons) will feature in the featherweight category. Maina and Emmanuel Chondo (Nairobi) will compete as flyweights, with Peter Abuti and John Oyugi (Kenya Police) selected for the heavyweight division.

Kenya has won only two medals in the history of the World Boxing Championships, both courtesy of Muchoki.

He won a silver medal in Havana (1974) and gold in Belgrade (1978). With the new talent such as Silas Onyango, the country hopes to break its long-standing drought and reestablish its presence in global amateur boxing.