Ingrid and Bob Munro began their journey in Kenya in 1987 when they moved to Nairobi.
Motivated by the struggles kids in the Mathare slums faced, Munro founded MYSA to empower young people and use sports to foster community development.
Munro founded the organisation while serving as a UN advisor in Nairobi on sustainable development, water resources management, and environmental policy.
The organisation has impacted the lives of innumerable young Kenyans and has grown to become a model for youth development.
Munro’s noteworthy contributions went beyond football at the local level.
He made a substantial contribution to the professionalisation of the Kenyan Premier League, earning him the moniker ‘Father of the KPL’.
Bob Munro’s death at age 83 signifies the end of a life and an era marked by an unwavering dedication to using sports to empower youth and build communities.
During Kenya’s 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations, President William Ruto recognised his decades of groundbreaking work in community development and Kenyan football by awarding him the prestigious Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS).
This was his most recent public appearance.
Jecton Obure, the CEO of Mathare United, said the news devastated him and described Munro as his mentor.
“I am deeply saddened to hear about Bob’s passing. He was not just a father and mentor, but a guiding light in the lives of many. His wisdom and kindness will be sorely missed,” Obure said.
“Remember, his legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched. Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family as you navigate this profound loss.”
Mathews Ottamax, the former goalkeeper for the Harambee Stars, showered Munro with praise, saying he gave him a platform to mould his football career.
“I am proud to have been a founding member of the Mathare Youth Sports Association, which was founded at Eastleigh Community Centre in August 1987,” he stated.
“In addition to many other things that shaped our lives to become who we are today, I learned about Munro’s vision of establishing a league that would allow the youth of Mathare and the surrounding area to play soccer with proper balls, wear uniforms (the iconic MYSA vests), play on elaborate fields with trained referees, and receive awards for environmental awareness and community service.
“Due to my exceptional football skills and upbringing in the MYSA setup, Bob introduced me to all the leadership courses and training I needed to become a well-rounded individual on and off the field.
“MYSA was three years old in 1990 when I unavoidably made it into the group of 16 boys who participated in the first Norway Cities Tour and the Norge Cup tournament, paving the way for thousands of others.
“Bob arranged for me to be placed on a Form One scholarship at the esteemed Starehe Boys Centre, which was closely related to MYSA. To avoid the rigorous discipline that came with ‘Stach’ (Starehe), I decided to play football at Kangaru School, Embu, a similarly prestigious educational institution,” he said.
“He invited me home to Mathare United during the pre-season of 2004 with a plan to play there for a year, after which I was to take over as the club’s goalkeeping coach. During this short period, he enabled me to attend a KNVB Hoek Method Goal-keeping Coaching Course conducted by Ajax Amsterdam’s goal-keeping coach.”
Harambee Stars goalkeeper trainer Arnold Origi de scribed Munro as his hero.
Origi is listed among MYSA’s top achievers.
“You gave us this platform, which made my dreams come true and you gave us this opportunity, which made my hopes tangible. Always, our hero. Our champion for eternity,” he said.
Hussein Mohammed, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president, said Munro would be remembered for his lifelong commitment to changing the football scene in Kenya.
“Bob Munro was a true hero of Kenyan football and a selfless leader who dedicated his life to the growth of the game.
Most recently honoured with the prestigious Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) during Kenya’s 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations, his contributions to both professionalising the Kenyan Premier League and promoting grass roots football have left an indelible mark.”
He added: “His global recognition also includes the Help for Self-Help Prize (Oslo, 1999 ) and the Play the Game Award for Strengthening the Ethical Values of Sport (Aarhus, 2015 ).
“I was fortunate to witness his passion and drive to uplift Kenyan football through collaboration and mentorship. My heartfelt condolences go to his family, friends, Mathare United, MYSA and the entire Kenyan football community. Bob’s legacy will continue to inspire us for generations. May he rest in peace,” he said.
Charles Okere, Tusker FC head coach, who developed his coaching abilities at MYSA, said Munro had a significant influence on his life both on and off the field.
“Sir Bob Munro gave us a golden opportunity and space both on and off the field of play at MYSA,” he said.
As the founder and chairman of Mathare United, Munro’s impact went well beyond the football field; it struck a deep chord with thousands of young people who, through the MYSA, found a sense of purpose and belonging in addition to a platform for their athletic abilities.
The busy streets of Mathare, a lively but difficult neighbourhood in Nairobi, were the starting point of Munro’s journey.
Frequently overshadowed by socio-economic hardships, the slum served as a testing ground for unrealised potential.
Munro saw a need for constructive outlets for youth and envisioned a space where they could channel their energy and aspirations.
Consequently, in the late 1980s, he founded MYSA, a grassroots initiative that would change the lives of many.
MYSA was a comprehensive programme designed to assist young people in increasing their capacity for self-improvement, discipline and leadership.
It was more than just a sports organisation.
Athletic prowess was vital, but Munro understood that the lessons gained on the field also influenced character growth and hope.
Munro oversaw MYSA’s rapid growth, which attracted thousands of participants from a variety of backgrounds.
The organisation evolved into a refuge for young people seeking to escape the harsh realities of life in Mathare.
Munro’s approach extended beyond sports’ immediate benefits.
He recognised the necessity of a comprehensive strategy to establish a long-lasting model for youth development.
MYSA expanded its scope to include health awareness campaigns, educational programmes and community service projects as a result.
Munro made sure that the organisation was a lifelong support system rather than merely a temporary opportunity by attending to the youth’s holistic needs.
The development of well-rounded individuals who could contribute significantly to society was greatly aided by this comprehensive conception.
Munro’s legacy is also embodied in the innumerable success stories that have emerged from MYSA.
In addition to playing for Mathare United, many former players have gone on to pursue careers in professional football.
Once nurtured in the very programmes Munro established, these athletes are now beacons of hope for the future.
Their stories serve as evidence of the potential that every young person has, awaiting the right conditions to realise it.
Furthermore, Munro’s influence extended beyond the world of sports.
His dedication to community service fostered peace among the people of Mathare.
Through MYSA, Munro promoted collaboration and communication, mending divisions and fostering a sense of community.
In a community that was often divided and driven by conflict, the organisation became a microcosm of hope.
Munro enhanced the social cohesiveness of Mathare by encouraging pride and resilience in its citizens, in addition to improving the lives of individuals.
Munro faced many challenges, including a lack of funds, social suspicion and continuous hardships in the community, but his unwavering determination never wavered.
His ability to inspire others was a shining example of his character.
“He was a friend, mentor and visionary who recognised the potential in every young person, in addition to being a leader. The people he touched will always remember his legacy, which serves as a continual re minder of the tremendous impact one person can have when driven by a sense of purpose,” said Harambee Stars’ head coach Francis Kimanzi.
Considering Munro’s life and contributions necessitates acknowledging the lessons woven throughout his journey, according to local football instructor Salim Mohamed, who also graduated from MYSA.
“By investing in the potential of the younger generation, we can bring about change, as demonstrated by his dedication to youth empowerment through sports. In a world too frequently marred by despair, Munro’s life serves as a beacon of hope, guiding others,” he said.
Established in 1987, MYSA has grown to be the biggest youth organisation in Africa, operating approximately 100 leagues for 1,000 participants.
In 1994, Munro established the Mathare United football team. Building on this solid foundation with the help of Norwegian development aid, the team became a member of the national league and went on to win two of the three Kenyan Cup finals.
Under the MYSA, Mathare United was founded as a professional organisation to offer youth coaching and organised football leagues in return for the removal of trash.
As evidence of the transformational power of sport, many MYSA participants went on to become role models in the community.
It had a tremendous effect.
Several other MYSA alums have achieved international recognition, such as Florence Adhiambo, assistant coach for the South Sudan national women’s team.
FKF/Caf Coaching Instructor Salim Ali, Head Coach Ann Aluoch of MU Women FC, FKF National Technical Director Michael Amenga, Assistant Coach Salim Babu of Police FC, and Head Coach Jackline Juma of the national U17 women’s team.
Also among the MYSA luminaries are Stephen Oduor (former Fifa/Caf referee/current FKF referees coordinator), Doreen Nabwire (manager, FKF leagues and competitions), Anthony Kimani (former head coach, Ulinzi Stars FC, Police FC), Francis Kimanzi (the highest-achieving national Harambee Stars coach) and William Muluya (head coach, Kariobangi Sharks FC).]
Others are Stanley Okumbi, head coach of the national U20 youth team, Laureate of the 2019 FIF-PRO Global Merit Award for Community Service, Johanna Omolo and former FKF CEO Barry Otieno.
Other than the Norway Cup, MYSA youth teams have won the global Fifa Football for Hope Tournaments held in conjunction with the 2006 Fifa World Cup in Berlin and the 2010 Fifa World Cup in Johannesburg.
With such a huge depth of talent, Munro always wondered why Kenyan clubs and national teams still appear to struggle in international competitions.
“Why then do Kenyan national youth and senior teams struggle to qualify for global and even African tournaments?” Munro posed.
The Norway Cup has all along been a major factor
in the success of Kenyan national teams over the last
three decades.
