Renowned philanthropist and founder of Mathare Youth Football Club, Robert Donald Munro, has passed away, just weeks after being honored by President William Ruto with the prestigious Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) Award.
Munro, a prominent figure in Kenya’s football and youth empowerment landscape, died on Sunday evening at his residence in Westlands, Nairobi.
His family announced the sad news, revealing that he had been battling health issues for the past six months.
“The family of Robert Donald Munro wishes to announce his passing. My beloved husband Bob, as he is fondly referred to in Kenyan football circles, has been in and out of hospital over the last six months due to respiratory complications,” said his wife, Ingrid Munro, in a statement.
She further noted, “A cherished father and grandfather, Bob took his final breath on Sunday, January 19, 2025, at home in Westlands. We will provide further updates in due course.”
President Ruto had awarded Munro the EBS title during Jamhuri Day celebrations at State House Nairobi in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the community, particularly through initiatives that uplifted the youth.
Munro is widely celebrated for founding Mathare Youth FC, a grassroots program that positively transformed the lives of countless young people in Mathare and surrounding informal settlements.
His efforts provided opportunities for young people to engage in sports, steering many away from crime and giving them a chance at better livelihoods, especially during times of economic hardship.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi led tributes from national leaders, describing Munro as a visionary and a giant in Kenyan football who inspired young boys and girls to pursue soccer as a career.
“I join the football fraternity in mourning the passing of Bob Munro, the founder of Mathare United.
He will be remembered for his remarkable transformation of Mathare United into a football powerhouse and for inspiring countless young Kenyans to embrace soccer.
May he rest in peace,” Kingi shared in a heartfelt message.
Sports journalists and enthusiasts also took to social media to eulogize the late philanthropist. Steve Shitera, a journalist at Citizen TV, highlighted Munro’s key achievements in football.
“Bob Munro’s leadership saw Mathare United achieve a historic milestone in 1998 when the club won the prestigious Moi Golden Cup.
It was a defining moment as Mathare United became the only team outside Kenya’s Premier League to lift this coveted trophy.
This victory earned the club a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup, representing Kenya on the continental stage.
From its humble beginnings in the Mathare slums, the club epitomized resilience and the unifying power of football,” Shitera said.
The Football Federation of Kenya (FKF) also paid tribute to Munro’s legacy. “We join the football community in mourning the loss of Bob Munro, the founder of Mathare United and a true champion of grassroots football in Kenya.
His contributions to the sport and society at large will remain a lasting legacy,” the FKF stated in a message of condolence.
Munro’s tireless efforts in championing grassroots football and empowering disadvantaged youth have left an indelible mark on Kenya’s sports landscape.
His death is a great loss to the nation, but his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
Join Kenyan Gen z and millennials official WhatsApp Channel To Stay Updated On time the ongoing situation https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@news.hub88?_t=ZM-8sz45qJid3V&_r=1
