Corporal Michael Maina (left) follows the action during the KVF National League playoffs at KPA Makande Hall in Mombasa on Saturday.
If the General Service Unit (GSU) men’s volleyball team are playing, chances are high that Corporal Michael Maina is on the sidelines, decked out in vibrant Kenyan-coloured regalia, leading chants, dances, and stunts. But if they aren’t in action, you’ll find him stationed at his post along Thika Road in Nairobi.
Since 2017, he has served as the GSU team’s top fan and official mascot, a role that earned him a promotion from constable to corporal last year due to his unwavering loyalty and enthusiasm.
Although Maina hails from Laikipia County and once played volleyball and loved athletics during his time at Mugumo Primary School, he was unable to continue in sports at Muramati Secondary School.
“I loved running the 12 or 24-lap races in primary school as well as playing volleyball, but when I joined secondary school, I failed to proceed with sports as there were no proper structures at the school, and that’s how I dropped the sport and concentrated on the studies because I wanted to be a police officer,” recalls Maina, 31.
“After I cleared school in 2013, there was police recruitment at Nanyuki Stadium in 2015. I went to try my luck and I was picked. That was my dream job. I finished the official training course in 2016 and was attached to the Nairobi headquarters.”
His turning point came in 2017 during the Inter-platoon competition in Samburu.
“Inspector Rop told me to accompany the team. He had seen the passion and the love I had when I attended GSU’s athletics and volleyball training sessions.
I would cheer the players endlessly. It was consoling and fulfilling at the same time just to watch and cheer others prosper where I failed. I felt close to the sports,” says the father of two.
Maina didn't know that accompanying the team to Samburu would be the beginning of a new journey.
“After the competition, our department Platoon 48 won. Later that year, there were volleyball play-offs at Kasarani Indoor Arena. A notice from headquarters was sent to all officers not on duty to go and support the team, which was set to face Kenya Prisons.
I took the chance and came up with this regalia that has national team colours with the wording ‘Babu Mzalendo.’
The outfit drew attention from all the fans, and I must admit, that was my turning point. GSU won the title, and the management told me to always accompany the team wherever they would go,” an excited Maina recounts.
“Top police officials had attended the match and saw how I drew attention from fans. After the match, I was told by a senior officer to henceforth be part of the team. Since 2018, I’ve only failed to travel with the team during the African Club Championship. But for all other matches, whether in Nairobi or elsewhere, I’m always with the team. I’m the eighth player on court. We’ve created a bond with the players and I know they value my presence.
They even consider my observations about the match seriously. No wonder you’ll see me during time-outs, walking to the players and giving them a word or two. When you attend these matches often, you learn a lot and can spot when something is off,” he adds.
He chose the stage name ‘Babu Mzalendo’ (Patriotic Grandpa) because of his deep love for Kenya and his role-playing antics as an old man during matches.
He was also one of the cheerleaders considered to travel to the 2024 Paris Olympics, but the plan didn’t materialise.
“I would have loved to travel to Paris, but it never happened. The government had promised to take some of the cheerleaders—I was among them—but it didn’t happen. chose to go to the airport to welcome Team Kenya back.
I’m glad I did, because after that reception, which had top government and security officials, I was promoted. I’m happy that I fell in love with cheering, and I’m passionate about it. I hope that more promotions will follow. Someday, I hope to accompany Team Kenya to international events and maybe even to the Olympics,” says Maina.
While his parents have been supportive from the start, his wife initially had reservations.
“This is like a job now. I’m happy to always be with the team whether they win or lose. I’m happy that I was there when the team qualified for the final. We have a good team and I hope we will reclaim the title we last won in 2023. It gives me so much joy that the players always check on me when I miss matches for personal reasons,” says Maina.
