Once hailed as Kenya’s undisputed queen of the ring, Conjestina Achieng has resurfaced not in a boxing arena, but in a new chapter of hope, redemption, and startling revelation.
After years of battling mental illness, poverty, and abandonment, the former boxing champion is speaking out—this time, with a powerful message directed at former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko, the man who helped pull her back from the edge.
“I was forgotten. People thought I was gone for good. But I’m still standing,” Conjestina said in a heartfelt video that has since gone viral, stirring emotional responses across the nation.
Conjestina’s fall from glory had once shocked Kenyans. The former WBF middleweight champion, who once stood toe-to-toe with world contenders, had spiraled into destitution. Her case sparked national outcry, yet support remained sporadic—until Sonko stepped in.
In 2023, Sonko funded her rehabilitation at the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Hospital. After months of treatment, she emerged stronger and was recently appointed head of security and gym instructor at Salama Bling Beach Resort in Kilifi.
“I had planned to place her at Club Volume,” Sonko said, “but I didn’t want to risk her recovery in a drug-prone environment. She needed a fresh start in a clean space.”
Her story reflects a larger crisis: according to the Ministry of Sports, over 70% of retired athletes in Kenya face financial or mental health struggles post-career.
Now 46, Conjestina is determined to write her own ending. “This is my second round. And I’m not going down without a fight,” she declared.
As the cameras roll and Kenyans watch, one thing is certain—Conjestina’s comeback is more than a personal victory. It’s a national reckoning.
By Nairobi