Machine guys and the girls have always been a very touchy issue. We only talked about them, and that’s where it ended. Apart of course from a few “clandos” that some guys shared. We were always “the rough guys”. Ask Boni, Evan, Shebesh, Yakas, Sabwa, Bundux or even Bwaab, Rombo and Chiro. Most of these guys especially Joe, Bonnie, Olimba and Wawira have improved since college days.

Since we didn’t have girls, what else did we do? Probably ate and anarchized. Let’s start with the food (’mfede’ as Bonnie would say). I think Sabwa and Vitisia must surely still hold the campus record for the most ‘dialogues’ consumed at a sitting – 10. However, there is this second batch of guys who came second in a close finish. They included Akush, Evani, Yakas and Nigger. The C.C.U., K1 and Box kitchen staff will never forget us.

Anarchy off the pitch was a way of life, ask John Less and Splasa about “Swathe”, GVC and Afro. However, I think Mombasa was the mother of all places! ‘Buster Douglas’ Mtambi, left his mark; and the hawkers there will never forget Marto, Bonnie, Waziri and Raki. In the meantime, Johnnie was trying to fall in love. When on the pitch if things got really bad, we always had Onyango and Sigi to protect us.

During training and games we were very serious. Bimbo molded a great team. He was probably the best local coach. Horace, Sigi and Yakas would be sweating profusely in their unwashed kit. Obuya would make guys run. OC would as usual be breathing like he is in labor and Big G would deliver his theory. Kingori and Waziri would as usual have something to tell “the Necki”. There were jokers and serious guys amongst the players. In the latter group, came guys like: Daktari, Zinzan, Olimba, Shaka, John More and Musalia. At least they kept the rest sane. God bless Ken Kanyi, we will never forget him. Then came guys like Jackie, Joe, D.K., Breather, Musunga and Chepe who were chameleons.

Let’s briefly look at the fans (and some players). Most prominent were Johnny and Steel Pulse, an unbeatable pair. There were the Lingala enthusiasts like Bamosusu and Evan. However, despite using the players names like “Rombo is my roommate” and “OC comes to my room everyday” they still never got girls. Ask heckler Hayazokeki, Papo, Kisila, Bundux or Lui. Oh I had forgotten Wede and Bob. Yet unlike today, they had boom. However, do not worry they have really turned over a new leaf. ‘Toivo’ featured prominently as well, very cost effective, ask Steel Pulse and John Less.

When all was said and done, we had a lot of fun playing, because our faith was built on nothing else and any other day all other teams were sinking sides. (Aberdeen University would bear me witness). However Machine has always been the second reason that took us to campus. To the current and future players, keep the speed and spirit of Machine going.