)
The Kenyan boxing legend’s journey to full recovery has come full circle following her latest appointment
Boxing legend Conjestina Achieng has secured a new job following her successful rehabilitation from a mental illness.
The former World Boxing Association Middleweight champion, who has been undergoing treatment at the Mombasa Women Empowerment Network Hospital since July last year, will now work as the gym instructor head of security at Mombasa’s Salama Bling Beach resort.
“As Conje embarks on this new chapter of her life, she carries with her the hopes and dreams of young upcoming boxers. Her story serves as a reminder that everyone deserves a chance to prove themselves, regardless of their past or present circumstances,” former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko said via a Twitter post on Tuesday morning.
“My initial plan for Conje after healing was to employ her as the head of security operations at the international Club Volume but changed my mind after thinking through what she has gone through before on drug and substance abuse. I don't want her around any environment associated with drugs.
“Conje will be the gym instructor and head security at Salama Bling Beach resort, Kanamai. Together with her sister, coach and son, we inspected the hotel that she'll be working at and they all agreed. She will now be making a living in order to support her family, but we have agreed that she will not go back to Siaya. She will only be going there to visit family under supervision,” he added.
Conje’s journey to recovery saw her feature in an exhibition bout against former WBC super-bantamweight champion Fatuma Zarika in Mombasa on Sunday.
The fight, which took place at the hospital’s compound, was aimed at giving the 45-year-old a feel of the ring after years of suffering from a mental illness.
Conje, whose record includes 17 wins (8KO), four draws and six losses, delighted the crowd with her upper and under cuts with Zarika taking all in her stride during the friendly contest that ended in a draw.
Achieng, popularly known as Hands of Stone, has been in and out of hospital since she was diagnosed with Schizoaffective disorder in 2011.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)