Nairobi City Stars Chief Executive Officer Patrick Korir has urged Kenyan players to take a cue from Anthony ‘Muki’ Kimani.

The experienced star retired from active football at the conclusion of last season and played against Gor Mahia in what was his 284th Premier League match.

Although he announced his retirement before the season’s ultimate match against K’Ogalo, he went on to feature and thus registered his 19th game of the 2022–23 season.

Kimani lauded

Overall, Muki featured in 109 games for Simba wa Nairobi, a club he was part of for four and a half seasons. 

“More than often, we never know when a Kenyan player retires. Muki did the most honorable thing by stepping forward to say goodbye to what has been part of him for more than a decade and a half. It was the most honourable thing to do, and I wish more retiring players could take his cue.

“We thank Muki for bringing maturity and adding his vast experience to the City Stars setup since the year 2019 and for guiding the team back to the Kenyan Premier League after five seasons in the cold. He was a dedicated servant, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors,” Korir told the club’s website.

As he hangs his boots, Muki will be remembered fondly by City Stars’ fans, especially after scoring their first top-flight goal against Nzoia Sugar – after promotion for the 2020–21 season. City Stars won that particular game 2-0 as they started their journey in the Premier League after earning promotion back.

He is a winner of various awards, including the club’s Most Valuable Player and the National Super League title in the disputed season of 2019/20.

At Sofapaka, the midfielder won the Kenyan Super Cup in 2010 and 2011, as well as being voted the Premier League midfielder of the year for the 2010 season. He was also named the best midfielder in the 2013 FKF President’s Cup competition and was also the winner of the 2015 President’s Cup when he was at Bandari.

Although he has been at Sofapaka and Bandari, City Stars look more like his home given that he was part of the club in three different spells.

During the highlight of his career, Muki was called up to the Kenya National team, Harambee Stars and was capped ten times between the years 2010 and 2012.

The Riruta-born star played for Harambee Stars between 2010 and 2012 and specifically took part in the regional competition, the CECAFA finals, that were held in Tanzania and Uganda, respectively.

He was given his senior Harambee Stars debut call-up by coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee and registered his maiden appearance against Taifa Stars in Dar es Salaam on November 29, 2010.

The midfielder was inspired to pursue a career in football by his elder brother, Francis Thairu, and started playing for Dagoretti Santos, then known as Kenyatta National Hospital FC, in the second tier.

After his Santos time, he signed for Premier League side World Hope – now City Stars – in 2008. He did not stay long with World Hope, as he made a move in 2009 to sign for Sofapaka, but after failing to become a regular first-teamer and decided to make a return to City Stars.

A return to Batoto ba Mungu came about in 2010, and Muki was voted the Kenyan Premier League midfielder of 2010. He was part of the 2009 champions until the end of the 2014 season.

After Sofapaka, he signed for Bandari, for whom he played two seasons.

Muki’s return

Although he was out of the game for two and a half years, he made a comeback and rejoined the City Stars for the 2019 campaign in the National Super League and guided them back to the Premier League.

He recently completed a CAF ‘D’ coaching license as he prepares for life after retirement.