The lowdown on Kenpo Karate’s steady rise in Kenya

The discipline was brought to the country in 1996 by the late Grandmaster Amen K. Rahh, then a sixth-degree black belt, who saw Kenya as a strategic hub for spreading Kenpo across Africa.

Nearly three decades later, Kenpo has established itself as a structured system and curriculum in the country.

The sport is predominantly practiced in Nairobi but has also expanded to regions such as Kisii, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Turkana.

This growth was evident in the recent Kenpo Team Championship, held in Kisii on March 16, 2025.

Organized by the African Kenpo Federation, the tournament brought together various martial arts styles, marking a significant step in promoting Kenpo beyond its traditional strongholds.

Looking ahead, Kenya will host a children’s tournament in May to nurture young talent, instill discipline, and promote self-control among the next generation of Kenpo practitioners.

The major tournament is scheduled for June 1, 2025, with Nyayo Stadium being the preferred venue.

The African Kenpo Federation has played a crucial role in producing instructors who establish Kenpo schools across the country, including in Nakuru, Naivasha, and Nairobi.

One of Kenya’s leading Kenpo figures, Professor James Bobby Ware, Kenya Kenpo Federation chairman and a seventh-degree black belt, has proudly represented the country on the international stage, further elevating the sport’s reputation.

However, despite Kenpo’s progress, the sport faces significant challenges.

Speaking to Citizen Digital, Wilson Yeswa, a third-degree black belt, highlighted the struggles in club management due to limited facilities and a growing number of students.

“That has been one of the challenges in terms of club management. The government has not really given real support also in terms of the issue of financial startup.

"It becomes a very big challenge to you as an instructor who wishes to really ensure that the style or the martial art spreads., we really look forward to this challenge being sorted by our government or the sponsors who are willing to really adjust and ensure they take or hold the hands of those in areas where they feel there is a gap.”

Despite these obstacles, the Kenpo community remains committed to growing the sport. With increased government support and sponsorship, Kenpo Karate has the potential to become one of Kenya’s most recognized martial arts, offering both professional and personal development opportunities for its practitioners.