Gabriel Aroka, in shorts, trains at the Kayole II Social Hall and Community Center in Nairobi with his coach Gilbert Mirukain in December. (OTIATO OPALI / CHINA DAILY)

Kenya is famed the world over when it comes to athletics. Ever since the country first competed in the Olympics Games in 1956, its athletes have brought home honor after honor, especially in track and field events.

However, a new sport has taken root and is gaining adherents in the most unexpected of places. At the Kayole II Social Hall and Community Center, in an informal settlement in the capital Nairobi, a determined team of sportsmen has been practicing Muay Thai, a combat sport that originated in East Asia, and mixed martial arts, or MMA.

Despite myriad challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the fighters have stuck to their strict training and managed to win international and domestic titles. They are also helping to steer young people away from crime－a longtime blight on the Kayole township.

Gilbert Miruka, the coach at the community center, is a trained bodybuilder who was introduced to Thai boxing and MMA after meeting Fabiano Agali, a coach from Nairobi's Colosseum Fitness Center. Miruka took up the sport and, together with Agali, introduced it into Kayole.

"We practice six times a week. This being a community center, we share the facilities with many other groups like theater groups, political gatherings and people who hire the facilities," Miruka said.

Gabriel Aroka displays some of the titles he has won. (OTIATO OPALI / CHINA DAILY)

"On days that the place is fully booked, we have to train in the open or along the corridors when it rains."

In addition to training prospective fighters, Miruka said they also operate as a rehabilitation facility. Some young people come to the center after sustaining injuries related to crime or to help overcome drug addiction.

ALSO READ: Kenya finds way to keep young engaged

Addiction problems

"We have had challenges where some fighters use khat, which is legal in Kenya but is frowned upon by doping agencies," said Miruka, referring to a stimulant popular in a number of African countries. "For such fighters, we have to get rid of the addiction."

Gabriel Aroka, who competes as The Rock, is recognized as the East African welterweight champion by the International Federation of Muaythai Associations.

Aroka, who trains at the community center, 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 me the chance to fight and I have never looked back," he said.

Coach Gilbert Miruka, center,takes his team through a warm-up session before training. (OTIATO OPALI / CHINA DAILY)

But he laments the limited earning opportunities from the sport in Kenya.

Fellow fighter Mohamed Kokani agrees that more needs to be done to promote the sport.

"I make my living through fighting and I also double up as a personal trainer in fitness and self-defense", but that's been affected by the pandemic, Kokani said.

"Despite all this, I never give up hope," he said.

READ MORE: Chinese company aids Kenya students

Contact the writer at otiato@chinadaily.com.cn