Kenyan media personality and entrepreneur Oga Obinna has dismissed claims that he paid Nigerian singer Ruger to perform at the Vurugu 2 boxing event, revealing that the artiste’s appearance was secured through a strategic partnership rather than a traditional booking fee.
Speaking on The Obinna Show, the Vurugu founder explained that Ruger’s performance was part of a broader plan to elevate the crossover boxing event into a continental entertainment brand.
“I did not pay Ruger. It was a bargaining chip on the table.”
According to Obinna, the partnership was designed to help Vurugu gain recognition outside Kenya, particularly in Nigeria, while strengthening its appeal as a pan-African entertainment property.
Obinna said the success of the inaugural Vurugu event encouraged the organizing team to think bigger for the second edition.
Rather than simply repeating the formula, they wanted to improve every aspect of the event.
“Vurugu One was beautiful. Then we started thinking, for Vurugu Two, what do we do bigger and better?”
The team decided to move to a larger venue at the Sarit Expo Centre and increase the number of boxing contests from 16 fights to 28. The organizers also sought to enhance the entertainment lineup by blending boxing with performances from leading musicians and DJs.
Obinna recalled that rapper Khaligraph Jones had made a huge impact during the first edition.
“When Khaligraph came last time, it was massive. I wanted him to come back again because he connected with the audience.”
Beyond bringing back familiar names, the team wanted to add something fresh that would attract wider attention.
Obinna explained that while discussions initially focused on Kenyan performers and DJs, the organizers eventually agreed that an international artiste would help push the Vurugu brand beyond East Africa.
“We needed something else. We started floating ideas, and finally we agreed to bring an outsider.”
He said the decision formed part of a partnership arrangement in which one of the collaborators would help secure an international act instead of paying a conventional performance fee.
That process eventually led to Nigerian Afrobeats star Ruger joining the lineup.
Obinna also revealed that the planning team considered other continental stars before settling on Ruger. Among the names discussed were Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy and South African rapper Cassper Nyovest, who has previously competed in celebrity boxing matches.
Addressing criticism over booking a foreign artiste, Obinna argued that the decision should be viewed as a long-term investment rather than a simple performance.
“Ruger coming is not a bad thing because now Vurugu is known in Nigeria.”
He urged critics to look beyond the immediate performance and consider the broader branding opportunities.
“Don’t look at it as, ‘He came, what are we getting from him?’ Ask yourself why Ruger is performing in a boxing ring. Ruger has never performed in a ring.”
According to Obinna, the unusual setting naturally sparks curiosity among audiences outside Kenya. He believes fans in Nigeria will begin asking questions about Vurugu, creating awareness that would have been difficult to achieve through traditional advertising.
“People will ask, ‘Why is he performing in a ring? What is Vurugu?'”
Obinna said his ambition extends far beyond hosting a successful Kenyan event. He wants Vurugu to become a continental entertainment platform that attracts international fighters, musicians, and audiences.
He revealed that the brand has already generated interest from South Africa.
“We have South Africans, bro. Some guys are telling me to bring Cassper Nyovest.”
Obinna noted that because Cassper has participated in celebrity boxing events before, he could become another high-profile addition in future editions.
For him, collaborations with international entertainers help position Vurugu as more than a local boxing promotion.
“That’s because of that international appeal.”
The Vurugu 2 lineup featured leading Kenyan acts including Khaligraph Jones and Wakadinali alongside several local DJs and entertainers.
He insisted that inviting Ruger did not replace Kenyan performers but instead complemented them by expanding the event’s reach to new audiences across Africa.
