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Mathare United founder Bob Munro to be cremated on Tuesday

Bob Munro during the Urban Refugees Rights Based and Inclusive tournament at Mathare Youth Sports Association Headquarters along Kangundo Road on April 05, 2023.

Photo credit: File | Nation

What you need to know:

  • Ahead of the cremation, several events have been lined up to honour Munro’s legacy and contributions to Kenyan football. Obure urged football stakeholders and fans to participate actively.
  • “We have set Friday this week for fundraising, where we urge all to come to United Club so that we can raise funds to cater for funeral expenses. There is also a pay bill number 891300 and account number 109362 where contributions can be channeled,” he added.

Mathare United Chairman Bob Munro will be cremated next Tuesday, January 28, 2025 at the Kariokor Crematorium, as preparations for a befitting sendoff gain momentum.

Munro, 82, passed away last Sunday evening at his Westlands residence after battling a respiratory illness for the past six months, his family confirmed.

Speaking to Nation Sport on Tuesday, Mathare United CEO Jecton Obure detailed the funeral committee’s plans.

“He will be cremated at Kariokor Crematorium on Tuesday, and that is what has been settled on by the committee,” said Obure.

Ahead of the cremation, several events have been lined up to honour Munro’s legacy and contributions to Kenyan football. Obure urged football stakeholders and fans to participate actively.

“We have set Friday this week for fundraising, where we urge all to come to United Club so that we can raise funds to cater for funeral expenses. There is also a pay bill number 891300 and account number 109362 where contributions can be channeled,” he added.

On Monday, a church service will be held at St Andrew’s Anglican Church to allow family, friends, and fans to eulogise and celebrate Munro’s life.

Additionally, a procession will take place on Saturday, where his body will be taken to the Mathare Youth Sports Academy (MYSA) for viewing in Komarock. The academy is renowned for nurturing and shaping many of Kenya’s top football talents.

Mathare United is also planning a commemorative match in Munro’s honour, though the date has yet to be confirmed.

“We must do that, but consultations are ongoing so that we can agree on the date. The meetings we are having will align everything in place because we want to give our hero and mentor a perfect sendoff,” Obure noted.

Meanwhile, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohamed visited Munro’s widow, Ingrid Munro, on Monday to offer his condolences.

During this weekend’s league matches, players are expected to observe a one-minute silence in Munro’s honour. Despite the loss, Mathare United will play their scheduled league clash against KCB on Saturday at the Sportpesa Arena in Murang’a.

Condolences continue to pour in for the veteran football administrator. Veteran referee and Referees Association chairman GMT Ottieno paid tribute to Munro’s transformative impact on Kenyan football.

“Bob will be greatly remembered for his love in uplifting the lives of slum children, the formation of Mathare United FC, and the establishment of the successful Kenyan Premier League (KPL), whose professional management was rudely destroyed by the recently out-voted corrupt FKF regime as Bob went down ailing in disbelief,” said Ottieno.

“The death of Bob has robbed the country of an astute and diligent sports administrator whose standard of keeping records none can match. Bob was a moving library or archive if one needed some factual records in sports,” he added.