Why BFK ‘Jamal’ Otieno Doesn’t Deserve to Be in Office

A Case for Integrity in Sports Leadership

The recent re-election of Anthony “Jamal” Otieno as president of the Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) represents a troubling departure from the principles of good governance that should guide our sporting institutions. While Otieno was re-elected unopposed in March 2025, his continued leadership raises serious questions about integrity standards in Kenyan sports administration.

The Constitutional Imperative

Kenya’s Constitution, specifically Chapter Six, establishes clear principles for leadership and integrity, requiring that conduct of public officers “demonstrates respect for the people,” “brings honour to the nation and dignity to the office,” and “promotes public confidence in the integrity of the office.” Sports federations, as public entities receiving government funding and representing Kenya internationally, must be held to these same standards.

The Boxing Federation of Kenya is not merely a private club—it is a public institution that shapes Kenya’s international sporting reputation, manages public resources, and influences the lives of young athletes across the country. Its leadership must therefore meet the constitutional threshold for integrity established in Chapter Six.

A Pattern of Questionable Leadership

Otieno’s ascent to power in 2019 was marked by irregularities that should have served as warning signs. In an election that defied conventional political logic, Otieno’s sole opponent, Siaya county chairman Ramjus Oketch, lost by an impossible margin of 41-0—meaning Oketch somehow voted for his own rival in a contest with no spoiled ballots. This outcome, which observers attributed to financial inducements and intimidation tactics, established a troubling precedent for how Otieno approaches opposition.

Such tactics represent the antithesis of democratic governance and fair play—principles that should be fundamental to any sports federation leadership.

The Shadow of Corruption

More damaging to Otieno’s fitness for office are the serious criminal charges he faces. In 2024, the High Court overturned his acquittal on corruption charges totaling 20 million shillings, ordering a retrial. This case, involving conspiracy to commit corruption, conflict of interest, money laundering, and acquisition of proceeds of crime, is part of a larger pattern of alleged misconduct that includes charges totaling 537 million shillings in connection with the Nairobi county government.

The Director of Public Prosecutions pursued these charges based on recommendations from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, indicating the seriousness of the allegations. While legal proceedings continue, the pattern of charges raises fundamental questions about whether someone under such scrutiny should lead a public institution.

The Counterfeit Alcohol Allegations

Perhaps most disturbing are persistent allegations about Otieno’s involvement in manufacturing and distributing counterfeit alcoholic beverages. These allegations suggest a criminal enterprise that endangers public health through the sale of potentially dangerous fake alcohol to unsuspecting consumers across Kenya.

If true, such activities represent not merely financial crimes but actions that could directly harm Kenyan citizens. The manufacture and distribution of counterfeit alcohol has been linked to deaths and serious health complications in other cases, making these allegations particularly grave.

The Money Laundering Concern

Observers have noted that Otieno’s entry into both the matatu industry and boxing federation leadership coincided with his alleged accumulation of wealth through questionable means. His matatu sacco, cryptically named “River of God,” and his sports federation role appear to serve as vehicles for legitimizing wealth of dubious origin rather than genuine commitment to public service or sports development.

This pattern—using legitimate businesses and public positions to launder proceeds from illegal activities—is a classic hallmark of organized crime that has no place in Kenyan sports administration.

Impact on Kenya’s Boxing Future

Under questionable leadership, the Boxing Federation of Kenya risks squandering significant opportunities. The federation stands to benefit from major annual grants from the Africa Boxing Confederation, and boxing’s future in the Olympics depends partly on governance standards. The International Olympic Committee has recently granted provisional recognition to World Boxing after meeting benchmarks for integrity, underscoring how crucial clean governance has become for the sport’s Olympic future.

Kenya’s boxers deserve leadership that can maximize these opportunities rather than leaders whose legal troubles and alleged criminal associations could jeopardize international relationships and funding.

A Question of Priorities

While Otieno speaks of expanding boxing into schools and preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, his track record suggests priorities that extend far beyond sports development. A leader genuinely committed to boxing would focus on transparent governance, athlete welfare, and clean competition rather than using the federation as a platform for other interests.

The young boxers participating in his “Ndondi Mashinani” initiative deserve better than leadership that treats their sport as a side business to more lucrative but questionable enterprises.

The Way Forward

Kenya’s sporting community and government officials must recognize that accepting compromised leadership in sports federations sends a dangerous message. It suggests that integrity is negotiable, that criminal allegations are acceptable so long as someone can deliver short-term results, and that our young athletes’ futures matter less than maintaining the status quo.

As legal scholars have noted, “Kenyans were very clear in their intentions when they entrenched Chapter Six in the Constitution” and its provisions “should have a substantive bite.” This principle must extend to sports leadership, where public trust and international reputation are equally at stake.

The Ministry of Sports, which supervised Otieno’s recent re-election, must develop and enforce stricter vetting procedures for sports federation leadership. There is “a recognized need to reduce the standard of proof for cases related to the implementation of Chapter 6” to ensure that integrity requirements have practical meaning.

Anthony “Jamal” Otieno’s continued leadership of the Boxing Federation of Kenya represents a failure of Kenya’s commitment to integrity in public life. His alleged involvement in corruption, counterfeit alcohol production, and intimidation tactics makes him fundamentally unfit for a position that should exemplify the best of Kenyan sportsmanship and leadership.

Our boxers, our youth, and our nation deserve better. It is time for Kenya’s sporting community to demand leadership that meets the constitutional standards we claim to value—leadership that truly serves the sport rather than using it as a vehicle for personal enrichment and legitimizing questionable wealth.

The integrity of Kenyan boxing, and indeed all our sports, depends on leaders who can pass the most basic test of public service: putting the public interest above personal gain. On this fundamental measure, Jamal Otieno has failed repeatedly and spectacularly.

Kenya’s boxers deserve champions in the ring and in the boardroom. They deserve leadership they can be proud of, not leadership they must explain away.