Ruto, Mohamed pay tribute to Mathare United founder Bob Munro

President William Ruto has led Kenyans in mourning the death of Bob Munro, the founder of Mathare United and Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA). Munro passed away on Sunday evening at his residence in Westlands, Nairobi, at the age of 84.

According to family members, Munro had been battling a respiratory illness for the past six months.

Munro, a Canadian-born philanthropist, founded Mathare United in 1994 and played a pivotal role in nurturing football talent through MYSA, a grassroots initiative aimed at youth development in Nairobi's informal settlements.

“Bob Munro was a pillar of our sports and a firm believer in youth development. His drive to make football thrive in Kenya was extraordinary; Bob expertly spotted and nurtured talents and brought sanity in the game.

Our thoughts are with the family and the sports fraternity at this dark moment. Rest in Peace, Bob,” President William Ruto wrote on his social media platforms.

In recognition of his contributions, President Ruto honored Munro with the Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) during Kenya’s 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations last year.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohamed described Munro as a hero of Kenyan football.

“Bob Munro was a true hero of Kenyan football and a selfless leader. He played a key role in professionalising the KPL and supporting grassroots football development,” said Mohamed.

“His global recognition includes the Help for Self-Help Prize (Oslo, 1999) and the Play the Game Award for Strengthening the Ethical Values of Sport (Aarhus, 2015),” Mohamed added.

Former FKF President Sam Nyamweya, who worked closely with Munro, highlighted his contributions to Kenyan football.

“Personally, I worked with Munro from 1996 when I was elected as the secretary general of the Kenya Football Federation. Later, when our football was in a management crisis, it was Munro and I among other leaders who petitioned FIFA to intervene, leading to the formation of the Kenyan Premier League,” said Nyamweya.

Former FKF Secretary Omondi Aduda also praised Munro's efforts, stating: “Your contributions to football development in Kenya, especially with the less privileged in the slums, will be remembered.”

Nation photojournalist Chris Omollo, who participated in MYSA programmes, shared his personal encounter with Munro.

“I played in the MYSA Under-12 and Under-14 programmes. It was a programme that produced Mathare United players from the Mathare area, including Sunday Odhiambo, Sunday Juma Omollo, Simeon Mulama, Titus Mulama, George Midenyo, and others,” said Omollo.

Munro, born on September 1, 1942, in St Catherine, Ontario, Canada, became a Kenyan resident in 1985. He is survived by his wife, two Swedish daughters, and three Kenyan sons.

His contributions to football and youth empowerment have left an indelible mark on Kenyan sports.