Bob Munro: The heart and soul of Mathare United honored with Kenya’s highest award for decades of service

Bob Munro was honoured on Jamhuri Day for his transformative contributions to Kenyan football, youth empowerment, and community development.

Sometimes the efforts of a hardworking man take time to be recognized in his adopted home even when the world has long applauded his contributions.

For Bob Munro, a Canadian by birth but Kenyan by choice, yesterday marked a significant milestone.

President William Ruto honored Munro with the prestigious Elder of the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) during Kenya’s 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations, acknowledging decades of transformative work in Kenyan football and community development.

Munro’s journey began far from the bustling streets of Nairobi’s Mathare Valley.

Born and raised in St. Catharines, Canada, he grew up in a melting pot of cultures that sparked his interest in international issues.

After graduating from McMaster University, Munro pursued a career in global development and environmental policy, achieving milestones that left indelible marks on the world stage.

Yet it was in the slums of Nairobi where he made his most enduring impact.

Reflecting on his life’s work in a 2022 interview, Munro credited his early exposure to diverse cultures for shaping his character and career trajectory.

“When I started school in St. Catharines in 1947, more than half my classmates were children of WWII refugees from many different countries. It made my later transition to an international career and life abroad much easier,” he said as per McMaster Univeristy.

In 1987, Munro and his wife Ingrid permanently anchored their lives in Nairobi.

Troubled by the challenges of poverty in Mathare, Munro had a vision inspired by his own childhood in Canada.

Watching children play soccer with makeshift balls on bumpy patches of land, he thought, “Why shouldn’t these kids have the same chance I had to play with real rules, balls, and coaches?”

This idea led to the establishment of the Mathare Youth Sports Association (MYSA) that same year.

At its core, MYSA used sports as a tool for empowerment and community development.

Munro explained, “Through sport, we learned character-building lessons and social skills which helped us then and later in life. Success requires self-discipline, constant training, and teamwork. MYSA’s motto, ‘Giving youth a sporting chance on and off the field,’ embodies these values.”

From humble beginnings, MYSA grew into a global model for sport as a vehicle for change.

The association inspired the worldwide movement for sport for development and peace, earning accolades like the UNEP Global 500 Award for environmental innovation and the Laureus Sport for Good Award.

MYSA also received two Nobel Peace Prize nominations and has helped countless Kenyan youth discover opportunities beyond the slums.

“The most important achievement by far is producing new heroes, role models, and leaders in our communities,” Munro said.

“The over 140,000 MYSA alumni now include many high-achieving leaders in the public and private sectors in and outside Kenya.”

Munro’s impact extended beyond sports and as a senior policy adviser for the United Nations, he helped shape environmental and sustainable development initiatives globally.

His efforts included drafting the Action Plan for the 1972 UN Environment Conference, which launched the global environmental movement, and contributing to the landmark report Our Common Future.

These achievements earned him global recognition long before his work in Kenya reached similar acclaim.

Despite this international acknowledgment, Munro remained humble. His upbringing instilled a philosophy of selfless service.

“Whenever a bit boastful as a teenager, my mother repeatedly scolded me to ‘never forget you can do a lot more good in this world if you don’t worry about who gets the credit,’” Munro recalled.

Munro’s efforts transformed MYSA into more than just a sports organization.

Beyond organizing leagues for thousands of youth, MYSA led initiatives in environmental cleanups, AIDS prevention, child rights advocacy, and leadership training.

During its peak in 2020, MYSA had over 30,000 members playing on 1,927 teams in 16 zones.

“The main reason for MYSA’s success is that it’s owned and managed by the youth themselves,” Munro said.

This grassroots approach fostered a generation of empowered young leaders, many of whom have become influential figures in their communities.

MYSA teams also achieved remarkable feats on the field, winning 15 gold medals at the Norway Cup and two FIFA Football for Hope youth tournaments held during FIFA World Cups.

Yet, Munro’s most fulfilling reward may not be the trophies or global accolades.

Yesterday’s recognition by President Ruto symbolized a long-awaited validation of his dedication to Kenya’s youth and communities.

Today, Munro continues to advocate for youth empowerment, even as MYSA recovers from the setbacks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bob Munro may have started as a foreigner, but his heart beats for Kenya.

The nation’s recognition of his work is not just an award; it is a celebration of what one man’s dream can achieve for an entire community.