# Maroon Commandos
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{{short description|Kenyan military band}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2024}}
'''Maroon Commandos''' is a musical group from [Kenya](/source/Kenya). It is a [military band](/source/military_band) belonging to [7 Kenya Rifles](/source/7_Kenya_Rifles) ([Kenya Army Infantry](/source/Kenya_Army_Infantry)) of the [Kenya Army](/source/Kenya_Army). They are based at the Langata Barracks in [Langata](/source/Langata), [Nairobi](/source/Nairobi). The group performs [benga](/source/benga_music), [rumba](/source/soukous) and other styles of music. They perform both original and [cover version](/source/cover_version)s.[''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](/source/Polydor) Kenya[Muzikifan.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.[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](/source/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](/source/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.[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]]
== Discography ==
Their albums until 1991 were released by Polydor Kenya