Kenyan youth boxing their way to glory

"We practice six times a week. This being a community center, we share facilities with many other groups like theatre groups, political gatherings and people who hire the facilities. On days the place is fully booked, we have to train in the open or along the corridors when it rains," Miruka said.

In addition to training prospective fighters, Miruka says they also operate as a rehabilitation facility. Some youth come to the center after surviving crime or struggling with drugs. Despite this, they are welcomed with open arms -- but the coach does not tell the rest about their challenges. He just takes them in and tries to reform them by re-directing their energy to more productive activities.

"We have had challenges where some fighters use khat, which is legal in Kenya but is frowned upon by doping agencies. For such fighters, we have to get rid of the addiction if they are to participate in professional matches. I also go further and urge my fighters to quit cigarettes, bhang and alcohol if they want to become great fighters," Miruka said.

Gabriel Aroka, or the Rock as he is known on stage, is East African champion in the welterweight category under the International Federation of Muay Thai Associations, and trains at the center. Aroka, who has many other titles to his name, said he got into the sport to escape a life of crime.

"I started training for self-defense but after years of dedication and hard work, our coach gave the chance to fight and I have never looked back since. Despite winning several international and local titles, however, I still cannot depend on fighting to meet my daily needs," Aroka said. "I have to work as a garbage collector and sometimes as a bus conductor to make ends meet. The kind of training we undertake and the fights we face require special diets, but I depend on my side hustles to feed me, clothe me and pay my rent."