Piece by: Naomi Waweru

19 October 2022

• Avril's grandfather was a legendary Kenyan boxer who won multiple boxing awards.

• Waruinge was an active featherweight boxer in his younger age and a prominent name in the boxing game.

Kenyan singer Avril is mourning her legendary boxer grandfather Phillip Waruinge (1945-2022) who passed away in his sleep.

A heartbroken Avril announced the sad news via her socials, saying the Waruinges were in mourning.

"Rest in peace Guka 🕯️.. The family of Phillip Waruinge is sad to announce that Kenyan legendary boxer and Olympian Phillip Waruinge passed away last night in his sleep. Details about his funeral will be shared," shared Avril.

She also shared an old video of her grandfather when he was still active in the boxing world.

The grandfather Waruinge was an active featherweight boxer in his younger age and a prominent name in the boxing game.

The late participated in the following matches;

1962 Africa Boxing Championship

1962 Commonwealth Games, Australia

1964 Olympics games, Tokyo

1964 African Boxing Championship, Ghana

1965 All African Games, Congo-Brazaville

1966 African Boxing Championship, Nigeria

1966 Commonwealth Games, Jamaica

1968 African Boxing Championship, Zambia

1968 Olympics games, Mexico

1970 Commonwealth Games, Scotland

1972 Olympic games, Munich-Germany

The above report is according to the Boxing Federation of Kenya.

As a young person (17) Philip engaged in soccer, excelled in it, and was among the athletes who represented Kenya in international competitions. According to the granddaughter, the family will have burial details later.

His demise comes as a shock to not only his family but also the generation that saw him in his youthful days before retiring into business in Japan where he was allegedly deported due to failure to renew his Visa.

He will also be remembered as Nakuru's most decorated player from his armature venture into boxing to being a professional boxer at that.