Philip ‘Nakayama’ Waruinge brought glory to Kenya a few years after the country gained independence. Waruinge took up boxing in Nakuru where he honed his skills at the Nakuru Amateur Boxing Club. Stamping his authority in the ring ‘Nakayama’, which when translated means central mountain, as he was fondly known to fans in Japan took all his bouts to the distance.

Known for his trailblazing feats Waruinge was the first african featherweight boxer to win three consecutive gold medals in the African Boxing Championships in 1964,1966 and 1968.

Additionally he clinched two gold medals all in the featherweight division at the 1966 and 1970 Commonwealth Games in Kingston Jamaica and Edinburg,Scotland respectively. He won the bronze medal in Mexico City, Mexico (1968) losing 2:3 to local Antonio Roldan and was awarded the Val Barker Trophy for Outstanding Boxer at the 1968 Olympic Games after much controversy about whether he should have lost the game. 

In 1972 Waruinge brought honor to the country by clinching a silver medal at the 1972 Munich Olympics. Once he turned professional he went on to win many more medals in various international championships. Waruinge is also credited with mentoring hundreds of boxers in the country who have left an indelible mark on the sport in Kenya.

This Petition calls upon:

• The Governors Office Nakuru County to name a road/street in honor of one of Kenya’s greatest boxing champion.
• The Nakuru County Assembly through the Speakers office to be seized of this matter and to initiate the process of naming a road to honor one of Nakuru’s greatest son’s.
• The Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) Nakuru County to posthumously honor Phillip Waruinge in the Boxing Federation of Kenya Hall of Fame.