Sombre mood engulfed Nakuru South cemetery on Wednesday February 18, 2026 as former Light-Welter boxing champion Christopher Kariuki alias Kawasaki was laid to rest.
Kawasaki passed away on February 11, 2026 aged 67, after a protracted battle with prostate cancer.
He will be remembered as a former Light-Welter boxing champion.
The late was an original Nakurian, having attended St Paul’s Primary School and (partial) Afraha High School alumnus.
As friends, former colleagues in millitary and Telkom Kenya, relatives and family members gathered at South Cemetery for the burial, they were also gibing their last respects to an ex-soldier who was attached to the 1 Army Battalion in Nanyuki.
He is predominantly reminisced for having been a Light-Welterweight boxing champion during his heydays.
Mr. John Githanga- the Founder of Nakuru Golden Years and Today Group says those who happened to have witnessed his theatrics in the ring might concur that he used to be a remarkable lethal “banger” who hardly took a step backward from his opponents but kept charging forward like a tank
“He was always equipped with heavy deliberate punches ferociously lobbed at the adversary’s head and body in a bid to win with a knock-out reminiscent of Marvin Hagler, former World Middleweight champion,” stated Githanga.
According to Githanga, some of the most memorable international fights that Kawasaki participated in include; the 1984 and 1986 King’s Cup in Bangkok, Thailand
On the local scene, he had partaken of more fights than he could remember especially after he stripped off the military fatigue and started working with Telkom-Kenya in Nakuru.
Githanga adds that the late resoundingly reigned supreme for many consecutive years as the indomitable LIGHT-WELTERWEIGHT KECOSSO CHAMPION until he hung the gloves before calling it a day from the giant parastatal in the early 2000s.
“Since then, this resilient veteran-pugilist had been in self-employment sector running transportation business via hand-carts in down-town areas until recently when his hard-working nature and robust health started declining,” said Githanga.
Speaking during the burial, Michael Mwangi(brother to the late) stated that the death of his brother is a blow to the family owing to the fact that he was a man of the people and loved the family so much.
According to Mwangi, his late brother was a hardworking family man.
“However, for the good deeds we can only emulate him moving forward,” he said.
Veteran former colleagues in boxing sector led by Mwangi Muthoga eulogized Kawasaki as a boxer who was well disciplined.
He conveyed the condolences of top leadership of Boxing in Nakuru and Kenya.
Former colleagues in the then Kenya Posts and Telecomunications also eulogized the late.
Nakuru Town East MP aspirant Wakili Boniface Ndumia who spoke during the burial service, was categorical that Kawasaki was a father to him, having known him six months after venturing into politics.
He stated that Kivumbini Ward remains his political backyard having interacted with several families.
Wakili Ndumia recalled his first encounter with Kawasaki and got to understand about what he was suffering from- Prostate Cancer.
The Nakuru Town East MP aspirant decried that prostate cancer remains a challenge among men, hence need for several tests which he said his Team Wakili Ndumia will commence tests for 65 years old men. He added that when he succeeds as MP, he will ensure testing for cancer.
He revealed that he had first connection in politics through Kawasaki’s son Victor Kamau who encouraged him via an Sms demanding that he comes to Nakuru without fail and that is how the journey started.
Wakili Ndumia reiterated the need for unity in Nakuru and being there for each other in rain and sunshine.
He vowed to ensure the late Kawaski’s widow is taken for treatment so that her eyesight can be restored.
On the visit of DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua’s visit, Wakili Ndumia urged residents to turn out in large numbers.
He called on residents not to repeat the same mistakes of 2022.
Nakuru DCP Secretary General Simon Ole Nasieku while eulogizing the legend, lauded Wakili Ndumia for standing with the family of Kawasaki.
Nasieku also called on Nakuru residents to come out in large numbers on February 27, 2026 to welcome DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua in Nakuru.
“We are ready to receive Gachagua in Nakuru and I urge Nakuru residents to turn out in large numbers for the same,” he said.
Sentiments echoed by Nakuru DCP Vice Chair Kariko Mwangi who is also an aspirant for Nakuru Town West Parliamentary seat.
He noted that the Constitution is very clear on matters forming and joining political parties of choice.
While euologizing the late Kawasaki, Kariko Mwangi lauded the residents of Kivumbini for the support to the family.
He urged them to emulate the members of boxing on matters unity and discipline.
Kariko who also chairs Nakuru County Matatu Owners Association revealed that they have had good working relationship with Victor Kamau who is also son to late Kawasaki.
He called on youths to ensure they register as voters so that they can make change.
Sentiments echoed by Biashara Ward MCA aspirant Peter Njoroge Wanyaguthie.
He lauded the unity of residents during difficult times.
Wanyaguthie also used the moment to call on opponents not to interfere with the DCP meetings including the forthcoming Gachagua visit in Nakuru.
Kivumbini Ward MCA’s Personal Assistant Charles Okumu lauded Kivumbini residents for the support to the family.
He used the moment to reveal that the ofgive has allocated funds to have a toilet constructed at the Cemetery to address the hygiene concerns that had been raised.