Kung Fu, the ancient Chinese martial art, is increasingly attracting young people in Kenya. Known for its unarmed personal combat techniques, it also promotes physical fitness, mental discipline, and spiritual well-being.
In Kiambu, a town north of Nairobi, Kung Fu Master Ngaruiya Njoge has been training students for over 30 years. He believes the discipline offers numerous benefits, including health, self-defense, and the cultivation of personal discipline. “The lessons Kung Fu teaches are not just about combat; it instills discipline and health,” he explained.
Njoge, who leads the Kenya Kung Fu Wushu Federation, has used his expertise to help the youth of Kiambu County steer clear of destructive behaviors such as alcoholism and crime. He trains children as young as four, and his free Kung Fu programs, offered through clubs at 24 public primary schools, have impacted more than 4,000 students.
Kiambu County, known for its high youth alcoholism rates, has seen a significant change thanks to these martial arts programs. One of Njoge’s students, Elvis Munyasia, credits Kung Fu with keeping him away from crime. “Without Kung Fu, I would be an alcoholic right now, doing drugs, maybe even theft. But since I started, it has changed my life and given me purpose,” Munyasia shared.
Despite challenges such as limited funding and a shortage of teachers, Njoge’s initiative continues to empower youth with confidence and discipline.
Meanwhile, in the low-income neighborhood of Kawangware, Kennedy Murimi, a part-time electrician, teaches Kung Fu on weekends. Murimi believes the martial art offers more than just physical strength; it can drive social change, providing mental and emotional growth for young people.
Seventeen-year-old Aisha Faith, one of Murimi’s students, attests to Kung Fu’s transformative impact. “I used to be a slow learner, but since I started Kung Fu, I’ve become sharper and faster, which has improved my academic performance,” she said.
For both Njoge and Murimi, Kung Fu offers more than martial arts skills. It nurtures discipline, physical health, mental focus, and good social skills, making it a powerful tool for positive change in Kenya’s youth.
