Maroon Commandos, as they are popularly known, is a genius musical group comprising of members of the Kenya Defence Forces. It is part of the 7 Kenya Rifles (Kenya Army Infantry) of the Kenya Army.
The band is mostly based at the Langata Barracks located in Nairobi. It performs mainly Benga, Rhumba, and other renditions of other music genres.
But despite being in existence for over 50 years, little information has been made public on the band.
Speaking to a local TV station on Saturday, November 6, the band shared some little-known facts about the singing soldiers.
Maroon Commandos first made it clear that they can be hired to perform in any event just like any other artist or musical group. But for them, permission must follow some order.
Senior Sergeant John Ogega, alias Magneto, who currently leads the band, noted that permission is granted by the Public Affairs Office in the military.
"People can hire us to perform at their functions but through following the right channels. The Public Affairs Office okays such requests," Ogega stated.
The band revealed that one can only join it after successfully joining the military. This is a change of rules as civilians were initially allowed to be part of the band.
Before one is considered, discipline is vetted as the band is associated with upholding the highest standards of sanity in the entire KDF unit.
"Discipline is very important. In fact, it is paramount. One cannot be inducted to join the Maroon Commandos with questionable discipline," Ogega noted.
Before they are allowed to perform at state functions, the band first briefs the military commandos and gives marching orders regarding their performances.
But one disadvantage about being in the band is that one is phased out immediately they are out of service.
"One challenge is that when one retires from the military, he is also expected to quit the band. But this is a good thing as it paves way for a new team to join and also showcase their talents," Ogega noted.
The band's journey started in 1969, when the first Commanding Officer of 7th Battalion Kenya Rifles, Lt. Col. JM Wambua, came up with the idea of forming a music band within his unit as a way of improving the performance of his Drum Platoon.
The unit was based in Gilgil. The CO then tasked the Adjutant, the then Captain Muchemi, to search for young men to be recruited to start the unit band. It was at Bamboo Executive Night Club along River Road that he met Habel Kifoto and his band crew.
They went on to produce the best songs that have ruled the airwaves for decades. Charonyi Ni Wasi became their first major hit.
The band had a 10-year recording break which ended with the release of Shika Kamba album in 2007, released by the label.
One of its former core members, David Kibe left the band after he rose in the military ranks and had no more time to participate in its activities. Another former member was Laban Ochuka, who also played for another military band, the Ulinzi Orchestra. Ochuka passed on in May 2006.
Currently, the Maroon Commandos and the Ulinzi Orchestra bands are in their 4th and 3rd generations respectively and working to produce more new music.
