By Nyang’au Araka
Bathed in the warm Sunday afternoon light at Gusii Stadium, the moment felt less like a routine football ceremony attended by many, including President William Ruto who later on handed over a brand new bus to Shabana FC.
Despite the presence of high profile guests, the presence of the club’s founder, one Dogo Khan, felt more like a living page from history, even as it could not eclipse the day’s main business.
Some did not know who he was and why there was buzz when he walked past them.
Someone mentioned his name and excitement hit the blue sky, quite literally.
In his trademark calm demeanor, dressed in the unmistakable red of Shabana FC whose tagline is “Tore Bobe”, Khan raised his hand to acknowledge the roaring crowd.
The cheers were not simply for a club patron; they were for a pioneer, the man whose dream gave birth to the “Tore Bobe” phenomenon that continues to define football culture in Kisii and beyond.
His appearance came at a significant moment, as President Ruto officially handed over a new team bus to Shabana FC, signaling renewed institutional support for one of Kenya’s most storied clubs.
Yet even amid the symbolism of modern progress, it was Khan’s presence that anchored the occasion in its rich past.
For many in attendance, seeing him wave to the stands was a reminder that before the infrastructure, before the sponsorship deals, and before the resurgence currently being witnessed, there was a single idea nurtured into reality.
That journey traces back to the early 1980s in Kisii Town, where Dogo Khan, then a vibrant and young businessman running Shabana Hardware, chose to invest not just in commerce but in community.
He assembled a team of local young men, driven by a desire to create unity among the Abagusii people through football while offering a pathway for raw talent to flourish.
What began as a modest initiative quickly gathered momentum, transforming into a formidable force that would soon command respect across Kenyan football.
Under his stewardship, Shabana FC rose rapidly through the ranks to become one of the most feared teams in the country.
By the late 1980s, the club was not only dominating domestically but had also earned the opportunity to compete at the continental level, placing Kisii on the African football map.
The team produced a generation of players whose skill, discipline, and passion became legendary, cementing Shabana’s identity as more than just a football club.
It became a movement”Tore Bobe”a rallying cry that embodied pride, resilience, and belonging.
The club has over the years produced great footballers, including Henry Motego, who played for the national team, Harambee Stars and became a household across Kenya decades back.
Today, that legacy founded and nurtured by Khan continues to echo in every chant that reverberates through Gusii Stadium.
Shabana FC has in recent years experienced a revival, including its return to top-flight Kenyan football, rekindling the passion of its loyal fanbase.
The club’s matches now routinely draw large crowds, a testament to the enduring emotional connection built over generations.
The new bus handed over on Sunday represents logistical support and reflects a broader effort to restore the club to its former glory and sustain its competitive edge in the modern era.
Even so, Khan remains the silent constantthe origin point of it all.