Maroon Commandos

{{short description|Kenyan military band}}

{{use Kenyan English|date=May 2013}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}

Maroon Commandos is a musical group from Kenya. It is a military band belonging to 7 Kenya Rifles (Kenya Army Infantry) of the Kenya Army. They are based at the Langata Barracks in Langata, Nairobi. The group performs benga, rumba and other styles of music. They perform both original and cover versions.The Standard, 7 August 2009: [http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/InsidePage.php?id=1144020940&cid=521& Soldier marches back to his roots] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217165339/http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/entertainment/InsidePage.php?id=1144020940&cid=521& |date=17 February 2012 }} The band plays often at state functions.Daily Nation, 12 February 2009: [https://archive.today/20130201053612/http://www.propertykenya.com/news/454363-maroon-back-with-hit-album.php Maroon Back With Hit Album]

The group was formed in 1970 by bandleader Habel Kifoto and some other member. The next year they signed with Polydor KenyaMuzikifan.com: [http://www.muzikifan.com/tanzania2.html DISCOGRAPHY OF EAST AFRICAN MUSIC Part 2: POLYGRAM (Kenya)] and released the hit "Emily".Muzikifan.com: [http://www.muzikifan.com/kenya.html MUSIC OF KENYA & TANZANIA] In 1972 the band had a traffic accident, which left some of their members dead. After the accident the band was dormant for five years before releasing their album Riziki Haivutwi after 1977. They also released the song "Charonyi ni Wasi", whose lyrics were written in the Taita language. "Charonyi Ni Wasi" became Maroon Commandos' first major hit.Simon Broughton, Mark Ellingham, Richard Trillo: [https://books.google.com/books?id=gyiTOcnb2yYC&dq=%22maroon+commandos%22&pg=PA518 World Music: Africa, Europe and the Middle East] Rough Guides, 1999

The band had a 10-year recording break which ended with the release of Shika Kamba album in 2007, released by the Sound Africa label.Sound Africa: [https://web.archive.org/web/20160303203218/http://www.soundafrica.net/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=shop.flypage&product_id=9&category_id=5&keyword=maroon&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=38 Maroon Commandos – Shika Kamba]

The band has had several line-up changes since its formation. Former bandleader Habel Kifoto retired from the military and was from 2009 to 2011 the chairman of Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK).Daily Nation, 9 March 2009: [http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/buzz/-/441236/543042/-/huipvfz/-/index.html Fat cheques for Kenyan musicians at last] Kifoto died on 31 July 2011 in Nairobi as he collapsed due to a suspected heart failure.Daily Nation, 31 July 2011: [http://www.nation.co.ke/News/Top+Kenyan+musician+Kifoto+dies+/-/1056/1211306/-/8aqxacz/-/index.html Top Kenyan musician Kifoto dies] One of its former core members, David Kibe Left the band after he rose in the military ranks and had no more time for the band. Another former member was Laban Ochuka, who also played for another army band, the Ulinzi Orchestra. Ochuka died in May 2006.Daily Nation, Saturday Review, 13 May 2006: Curtain falls on Ochuka

ranks.Daily Nation, Saturday Magazine, 30 January 2010: [http://www.nation.co.ke/magazines/lifestyle/-/1214/852448/-/7898wbz/-/index.html Maroon Commandos march to their rhythm 40 years and counting]