Meru Bombers, formerly Mafuko Bombers, one of Kenya’s legacy football club turned forty years at the turn of the calendar. To celebrate the milestone, a stakeholders meeting comprised of officials drawn fromMeru County Government, Meru FKF Branch, Meru Business Community, Media, Friends and Community Representatives resolved to oversee its relaunch.The Meru County Government through Sports Chief Officer, Mercy Ndiira threw the weight of the County behind the effort saying, “Life Begins at 40”. She lauded the new vision of the club “To Make Meru the Iten of Kenyan Football,” committing The Bombers as the anchor user of the newly refurbished Kinoru Stadium which will among other benefits, enjoy first priority at the stadium as the official home of the Bombers.The relaunch committee chairman Meru FKF Branch Chairman Ken Rungu welcomed the support of the county government, the Meru business community and the club legends and current players in attendance for holding the club in place so far and setting a new vision for the future.The flagship event for the 40th anniversary is the Bombers Challenge; an attempt at a world record for a men’s football game at the highest altitude ever which will be played in July 2022 at an altitude on 4600 Meters Above Sea Level at Lenana Peak on Mt Kenya.Meru Bombers, formerly known as Mafuko Bombers, is coming back 👌 pic.twitter.com/2wZOidvSR4— Jeff Kinyanjui (@Nyash88) February 11, 2022 The club welcomes other Kenyan clubs, the football community, partners and sponsors to join in the relaunch and anniversary celebrations through a line of activities and in jointly tackling the Bombers Challenge.Official relaunch of the Meru Bombers and launch of the Bombers Challenge shall take place alongside the official reopening of Kinoru Stadium in March 2022.History of Meru BombersThe idea of Meru Bombers was first arose in 1982 when players in Meru came to recognize that they were splitting their effort and attempts at promotion to upper tier leagues from the various clubs in the town was being undermined by scattering their best talent in many winds. The first team was assembled in 1984 after players from the then two Meru football rival teams Meru FC and Mutindwa F.C joined hands to form a combined team.According to a former player and best full back in the entire Eastern province at the time, Paul “Cobra” Koome, KTM F.C which used to play in super league was to come to Meru for a friendly match and since neither Meru FC or Mutindwa FC could match them, they took the opportunity to form the combined team to take on the Thika based team.#OnThisDay 1987 Gor Mahia thrash league newbies Meru bombers (later Mafuko bombers) 6-1 en route to lifting the league title. K’Ogalo scored courtesy of Hesbon Omollo(2), Nyangi Odembo(2), Anthony Ndolo and an own goal. Joash Odindo scored bombers’ consolation #Sirkal pic.twitter.com/C7ZsLd5ebE— Kofia ya mjengo (@NgariTimMaina) January 31, 2022 After the friendly match which was played at Kinoru Stadium and which KTM won 2-1, the players organized for 2 more friendly match against Nairobi based Hakati FC and Athi river based Blue Triangle.It was after these 3 matches that the idea of one strong team from Meru was confirmed as a good idea hence the birth of Meru Bombers FC.In that team, Meru FC contributed players such as Munaa Singh, Raju Singh, Paul “Cobra” Koome, Richard Gitonga, Philip Kiruki, David Gikundi”Ngoroko” Boaz Zulu and Silas Kinoti.Players from Mutindwa FC were Rutherfold Kariuki, Gilbert Tela, Joash Odindo, Nkubu Amwari, John Oketch and Michael Wagulla. Rashid Omar was poached from a Tanzanian Club. Some of the then team officials were Bishop Kirimi Buria of Kambakia Christian Centre and Dan Mubichi who was a player coach for Meru FC.Former late KFF fixture secretary Silas Murungi assisted in having the team registered to join KFF Eastern Branch Provincial League.Mafuko Bombers was a footbal team in the Kenya Premier League in the 90s and it was from Meru.— Kenyan Facts 🇰🇪 (@KResearcher) March 20, 2015 In the year 1985, the team was promoted to Super League 2 where they played for two years. In 1986, they won super league 2 title and became the first team from Eastern province to qualify for the then equivalent to today’s premier league.The league consisted of teams like AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia, Kenya Breweries, Scarlet, transcom, KTM, Motcom etc.The team got a baptism of fire as AFC Leopards beat them 7-0 in a memorable match played at Kinoru stadium.By the end of the year, the team was relegated after coming second to last. After relegation, many players joined other super league teams hence causing the teams disbandment. The team was revived after 7 years in 1995 by a young group of players led by Team Captain Cliff “Dawo” Munene, Thura, Zimbo, Chemi, Solo and others.Mafuko Industries came to the rescue of the young men and sponsored the team for 6 years (1997-2002) before Kisima Farm and Kambakia Christian Centre took over the sponsorship for 2003-2004 football season.During their second stint in the National super league, Meru Bombers produced some of the best players in the Country. These players included 2001 superleague Top Scorer Manasseh Imbo who later on went to play for Tusker FC.Others players were Patrick Kathiari from Tigania who went on to play for Mumias sugar FC, Moses Odhiambo who playing for Gor Mahia, APR of Rwanda, Isaiya Omondi who played for Mathare and Zamalec FC of Egypt.I put down some of the discussions that we’ve had here in last couple of months in a long read. Let’s Bring Football Back Home @zaxoguda @JWokabi @MikeOkinyi @EMketu @Nyash88 @mbakayamilimu @stuttistician @Superjohna07 @Mulemig @mutegicliff https://t.co/A9zlulEVjv— Nkaari Martin K (@Nkaari) January 12, 2022 The team used to attract thousands of fans who used to attend its matches at Kinoru Stadium. Meru Bombers used to offer entertainment to Meru people on weekends.The Club went down in 2004 after most sponsors withdrew due to harsh economic times. Individuals like Kiautha Arithi, Mithega, Mbaabu Inoti, Gideon Meenye and others tried to revive the team but the cost of running in the new professionalized Kenya premier league was too high.After a spell of 18 years playing in the lower leagues, a new team from the community led by Kilimara Sports, Meru County Government, Meru Business Community, Club Legends and Current players. Talk of a bomb with nine lives.
