Nakuru man overcomes stray bullet injury to chase East African boxing title

When Wesley Kennedy Adede first rolled into a boxing gym in Nakuru last November, few imagined how determined he was to transform his life through the sport. 

Having lost his leg in class seven after being hit by a stray bullet during a demonstration, he had lived with the weight of both physical and social challenges.

Yet, sports had always been in his blood.

Kennedy explains that his interest in boxing existed long before the incident, but he only discovered a new path when he heard about wheelchair boxing 

 "I have loved sports my whole life but I have only participated in volleyball and when my coach asked me to join boxing I was glad to," he says.

He notes his first training session was tough admitting it was difficult because he had no prior experience. However, his coach refused to let him give up, constantly pushing and motivating him to keep going.

More importantly, the coach helped him accept himself and stay committed.

Kennedy has faced countless critics along the way. “A lot of people used to say it’s a waste of time. Some even advised me to stick to my cobbler work, but i chose to persevere he recalls.  

He hopes that his resilience will start providing new opportunities where he hopes to be selected in the upcoming national team selection and get a chance to represent Kenya.

He highlights that one of the major challenges he faces is lack of essential gear like head guards, bandages, and specialized wheelchairs, which are costly and out of reach. 

To train, Kennedy often has to borrow equipment from other athletes once they are done with their sessions.

This lack of equipment has discouraged many others who started alongside him, noting that out of the three boxers he is the only one remaining.

According to him, his journey is a message to others with disabilities. He urges them never to give up or lose hope, reminding them to trust God and believe in their potential. 

Still, he feels the government, particularly at the county level, has overlooked athletes with disabilities and calls for more support to nurture their talent.

"I have lost many opportunities due to lack of resources and when I approach the county I only get empty promises," he says. 

Kennedy trains every week day, dedicating his mornings to personal workouts and his evenings to structured boxing sessions. 

While mending shoes still provides for his livelihood, it is boxing that fuels his dream to one day become the best wheelchair boxer in East Africa.

Kennedy is proof that with determination, even life’s hardest punches can be turned into strength.