A retired goalkeeper in Kajiado County broke down in tears after former teammates from the 1990s showed up unannounced at his home, decades after they last shared a football pitch together.
Robert Wairegi, who once kept goal for City Stars, Highlands and Gitwamba, had built a reputation in Naivasha’s football circles during his playing days. He now lives in Rongai, far from the pitches where those memories were made.
The surprise visit, organised by teammates who made the journey from Naivasha, brought all of that flooding back.
A Reunion Decades in the Making As each former player arrived, Wairegi embraced them one by one, recalling the position numbers they had worn on the field.
The emotion was immediate and unfiltered, with laughter, old stories and songs filling the occasion.
The group came bearing thoughtful gifts: a live sheep, a jersey printed with his name and the number 001, and a cake that the group cut together before sharing a meal.
The gathering quickly became a celebration of friendship forged through the sport they all loved. Wairegi, who said he began playing football around 1979 while still in secondary school, went on to represent several clubs beyond school, including Coca-Cola and Kenya Pipeline, before eventually hanging up his gloves.
Reflecting on what the reunion meant to him, Wairegi said he had not anticipated anything of the sort.
“This is more than any money I would receive,” he said. “When I started mentoring the juniors I didn’t do it for money. I am glad my actions have touched several footballers and pray they continue doing great.”
He also spoke about his long journey in the game.
“I started playing football around 1979 while I was in secondary school. I also played for several football clubs outside school, including Coca-Cola, Kenya Pipeline and several more until I retired from football,” he said.
The visiting teammates used the occasion to issue a challenge to other former players and football clubs across the country, urging them to follow suit by checking in on old colleagues and rekindling connections built during their playing years.
