Content creator and entrepreneur Obinna has revealed that the inaugural Vurugu boxing event was overshadowed by threats from goons, forcing some participants to go into hiding and leaving him fearing for his own safety.
Speaking on The Kisiangani Podcast, Obinna reflected on the challenges of organising the first edition of the celebrity boxing event, saying he had expected support from the public but instead encountered resistance from individuals demanding a share of the event’s funding.
“The mistake I made with the first one was thinking people would support it. The people themselves were fighting it. I had a lot of threats from a couple of goons.”
Demands for money
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According toObinna, some of the threats stemmed from claims that money associated with the event belonged to certain groups.
“That money the President has put in, we want it. That money is ours.”
The organiser said one of the people close to the event, identified as Mbavu, received repeated threats and was forced to leave the area for his own safety.
Obinna explained that he decided to give several individuals an advance payment of KSh100,000 each from funds that had been provided so they could settle immediate issues while Mbavu stayed away temporarily.
“I gave each of them KSh100,000 so that at least they could put a few things in order while Mbavu stayed somewhere else for a while.”
Knife scare after the fight
Obinnaalso disclosed that tensions escalated on the day of the event.
He claimed that some goons deliberately attended the fight with the intention of causing chaos and alleged that influential people had sent them to disrupt proceedings.
The situation became more volatile shortly after the winner was announced.
“I was chased by goons myself. I was almost stabbed because they wanted money.”
He added that around 15 people confronted members of his team, including Munene, following the conclusion of the event.
Despite the confrontation, Obinna said he has always preferred dialogue over conflict whenever he encounters hostile situations.
“Whenever we go to places that are normally chaotic, I always talk to the guys. What’s the problem? What’s the solution? I always believe dialogue comes first.”
Lessons from the first Vurugu
Although the first edition was marred by security concerns, Obinna said the experience shaped how subsequent Vurugu events were organised.
I never forgotten the face of one of the individuals who confronted him, describing the experience as one of the defining moments behind the scenes of launching the Vurugu boxing series.
