)
A tribute to the legendary composer behind Harambee Stars' anthem whose music inspired Kenya’s football team and nation.
If you tuned to KBC Radio Taifa in the late 1990s before any match that involved Harambee Stars you could not miss the patriotic anthem that filled the airwaves: Twende Harambee Stars Twende mbele.
The song which celebrated the national football team became synonymous with the passion and pride of Kenyan football.
Its composer Ted Kalanda had crafted an anthem that united fans across the nation lifting the spirits of Harambee Stars players and their supporters alike.
)
12:00 - 17.09.2024
Former Harambee Stars captain McDonald Mariga counsels Gor Mahia after Al Ahly spanking
Former Harambee Stars midfielder McDonald Mariga has praised Gor Mahia's performance despite their 3-0 defeat to Al Ahly in CAF Champions League.
The song’s impact was not just musical—it was emotional. Whenever Harambee Stars took to the field especially during critical matches the anthem served as a rallying cry.
Fans gathered around radios, not just to follow the commentary of legendary broadcasters Jack Oyoo Sylvester and Ali Salim Manga, but also to hear the familiar notes of Twende Harambee Stars Tweendee, a song that gave hope and inspiration.
Kalanda’s music celebrated not just the team’s victories but their perseverance, especially in times when football glory seemed just out of reach.
One of the most unforgettable moments connected to the song came in 1997, during a World Cup Qualifier against the formidable Super Eagles of Nigeria. Guided by the late Reinhard Fabisch, the Harambee Stars defied the odds to hold Nigeria to a stunning 1-1 draw.
Kalanda's anthem echoed across Kenya that day, celebrating the tenacity and talent of a team that went toe-to-toe with one of the world's best football squads. As Kenya secured that famous draw, Kalanda’s music became a beacon of national pride.
"It has been a long painful journey for our eldest brother who was a source of inspiration to all of us," said John Katana, Ted Kalanda's younger brother and the current band leader of Them Mushrooms as per Nation.
His words were filled with sorrow as he confirmed the passing of the legendary composer, who died on September 17th at the age of 72 after a long battle with cancer.
Kalanda’s death marked the end of an era, and with it, a voice that had once brought joy and unity to millions of Kenyans.
)
09:30 - 15.09.2024
Michael Olunga returns from injury to propel Al Duhail to victory over Al Wakrah in Qatar Stars League
Harambee Stars captain Michael Olunga returned from injury playing a pivotal role in Al Duhail's recent Qatar Stars League win.
Kalanda, an accomplished saxophonist and vocalist, was the founder of the iconic Kenyan band Them Mushrooms, formed in 1972.
Initially a family band based in Mombasa, it went on to become one of Kenya’s longest-surviving and most celebrated musical groups.
Though their style evolved over the years, their music, much like Twende Harambee Stars Tweendee, had an enduring influence on Kenyan culture. Hits like Unkula Huu, Wazee Wakatike, and Hapo Kale solidified their place in the country's musical history.
)
12:00 - 14.09.2024
Ghost Mulee reveals long-standing FKF debt as 20-year wait for payment drags on
Former Harambee Stars head coach Jacob 'Ghost' Mulee reveals a long-standing unpaid debt by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF).
Kalanda's musical journey was deeply rooted in his love for Kenya and nowhere was this more evident than in his dedication to the national football team.
His anthem for Harambee Stars transcended the realm of sports and became a rallying call for national unity a moment of shared pride every time it was played on air.
As we mourn the loss of a musical giant, we also celebrate his legacy—a legacy that continues to live on through the songs he composed and the memories he left behind.
Kalanda may be gone, but his music, especially the anthem that uplifted the nation's football spirit, will forever remain a part of Kenya's rich cultural tapestry.
For the generations of Kenyans who grew up singing along to Twende Harambee Stars Tweende, Kalanda’s music will always hold a special place in their hearts—a symbol of hope, unity, and undying love for their country and its beloved football team.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)