The Maroon Commandos is an iconic Kenyan musical group with a unique origin, as it functions as a military band belonging to the 7th Battalion Kenya Rifles of the Kenya Army, currently based at Langata Barracks in Nairobi. The band was officially formed in 1970 under the direction of its founder and long-time bandleader, Habel Kifoto, who had been recruited into the army along with other musicians from a civilian band. The group quickly transitioned from playing covers to recording original music, securing a deal with Polydor Kenya and releasing the hit "Emily" in 1971. Their musical style is a celebrated blend of benga, rumba, and other genres, which contributed significantly to the East African rumba scene by fusing the smooth rhythms of Congolese rumba with Swahili and Taita linguistic nuances.
Despite suffering a devastating road accident in 1972 that claimed the life of a member and caused a five-year hiatus, the band was revived with new members and experienced its biggest success with the chart-topping song "Charonyi Ni Wasi" (meaning 'life is hard' in Taita) in 1978. Under Kifoto’s leadership, the Maroon Commandos became a household name across East Africa, producing popular classics like "Uvivu Mbaya" (Laziness is Bad) and "Christina." Their music, known for its meaningful lyrics and rich arrangements, earned a classic status in Kenyan music. The band continues to operate as an active military unit, performing at state functions and recording new music, with a rotating membership that sees younger talents taking the torch from veterans like Kifoto, who passed away in 2011, ensuring the enduring legacy of the Maroon Commandos as Kenya's longest-serving musical group.