Bob Munro, the founder of Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA), has passed away. He was 78 years old.
Munro’s wife, Ingrid, confirmed his death, revealing that he had been battling respiratory issues for the past six months.
He passed away on Sunday evening at their home in Westlands, Nairobi.
“My darling husband Bob, as he was affectionately known in Kenyan football circles, was a beloved father and grandfather. He passed away peacefully after a long struggle with illness,” Ingrid said.
Munro’s legacy in Kenyan football is profound, particularly through his work in using sports to promote social equality.
In 1987, he founded MYSA as a self-help initiative aimed at empowering young people, especially those in the slums, by equipping them with the skills and confidence to realize their potential.
Through MYSA, Munro provided opportunities for slum youths to thrive in areas such as sports, photography, filmmaking, HIV/AIDS awareness, environmental cleanup, music, and leadership training.
His vision was to help these young people become role models both on and off the field. Thousands of youths have benefited from the programs, which have been instrumental in steering them toward successful futures despite their challenging circumstances.
From MYSA emerged Mathare United, a club that has been a significant presence in the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to Kenyan football and youth empowerment, Munro was honoured by President William Ruto with the Elder of the Burning Spear (EBS) award on Jamhuri Day in 2024.
