Maroon Commandos’ journey started in 1969 when Lt. Col. J.M.M Wambua alias Nyeusi decided to form a music band within his unit. He wanted to improve the performance of Drum Platoon and at the same time form a dance band.
Muchemi embarked on the search for musicians which took him to clubs in downtown River Road where he met Habel Kifoto and other original band members including Kibe, Kizito, Ringo, Shem, and Tony, whose fathers all worked for the Kenya Railways Cooperation and lived in Eastlands in Makongeni, Kaloleni and Shauri Moyo estates. They were the vijana wa mtaa....hood boys...and were swiftly recruited in the Kenya Armed Forces, (Kenya Army).
After nine months of training at the Military barracks in Gilgil, the six civilians graduated into Military and were posted to the 7th Battalion (7KR). They were joined by Masheti and Bushi Kimani, members of the Bongo Boys Band in Nakuru, also recruited into the military, and that was the birth of Maroon Commandos Band.
Maroon Commandos’ success saw the band perform beyond the confines of the military across the country. Today Maroon Commandos Band is over 50 years old and going strong recruiting new members as the older generation is posted out. Maroon Commandos continues to serve as a platform for many army men to pursue their talents in music. Throughout all these years, Maroon Commandos have shown military discipline and remained consistent in delivering music that cuts across generations.
31 май 2021
