Tributes pour in for the late 'Hit Squad' coach Peter Mwarangu

The Boxing Federation of Kenya (BFK) has mourned and eulogized the late boxing coach Peter Mwarangu terming him “the coach who lasted the longest at the helm of national team”, ‘Hit Squad’,  in the history of Kenyan boxing as well winning the most titles with the players he managed.

Mwarangu passed away on Sunday at around 7pm in Nairobi at the age of 81 and his body is lying at Montezuma Funeral Home as preparations for his funeral gets underway.

“Boxing Federation of Kenya passes condolences to the family and friends of the late coach Mwarangu. Coach Mwarangu served the sport of boxing with a great deal of dedication, passion & commitment. The federation appreciates the work done by Coach Mwarangu as the longest serving Hit Squad head coach.

He continued: “His legacy will live on forever. We will keep the boxing fraternity informed of the burial plans when we get the information. We are praying to God to give the family strength to withstand the loss of a great man. RIP Coach Mwarangu,” said BFK Secretary General David Munuhe.

Mwaranga who was born on 10 Feb 1942 was coach of the Kenya team for 40 years from the 1960’s through to 1990’s and was part of Kenya’s 1968 Mexico Olympics team, Commonwealth Games and the All African Games.

The legendary coach who is also the founder of the Kenya Prisons Boxing Club started experiencing ill health from 2020 when his family appealed for medical assistance after he became unable to walk. Kenya Police coach Munhue says Mwaranga had a different soul.

‘He did so many good things that others don’t know about. For example, he once took Suleiman Bilali to his own house for rehabilitation when he had his issues with the Police department as an employee. He stayed there for five months and it's just one of the many things he did and was never highlighted,” said Munuhe.

Mwaranga was himself a former boxer in the bantamweight category and is credited with defeating Kenya’s most decorated boxer, the late Philip Waruinge who died on October 19, 2022.

Later on in his coaching career he led the ‘Hit Squad’ to a record win of eight gold medals during the 4th All Africa Games that were held in Nairobi in 1987.

The same squad took part in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games where the late Robert Wangila Napunyi handed Africa its first ever Olympic gold medal.