Murugi’s Base – The Night Everything Went Left! (And We Loved Every Minute)

Mann Insurance CEO, Mr.Kirimi (right) Awards the Tournament winner Mathew Kirimi (Left) As Aquadel’s CEO Mr.  Patrick Rungu AKA Bloko watches on. Photo/Felix Kinyua.

My dearest readers, on Saturday I once again made my pilgrimage to the now almost officially Home Murugi’s Base. And if you missed it, kindly step aside and allow those who attended to breathe — because this wasn’t just a pool tournament.

This was a cultural earthquake.

Let me take you back to where the magic started.

Two weeks ago, Tush AKA Farouk — a man whose phone calls rarely announce small things — reached out about a pool tournament he was coordinating with Mann Insurance. Now, when Tush says something is brewing, it’s already simmering. And true to his touch, before he could even align the match schedule, sponsors were joining like the event was giving out shares:

DJ Alekkings, ready to shake the air.

Aquadel Drinking Water, ready to hydrate the chaos.

Ms. Felicity Mbiriri, our 2027 Women Rep hopeful, adding her political blessing.

Eric Kimani, the well-wisher whose generosity needs its own paragraph.

Just like that, the event stopped being an “idea” and instantly matured into a festival.

So Saturday arrived, and as is my sacred tradition as a media-school disciple, I landed early — 3:45 PM, seated at the counter ready to collect content like it was tax season.

K2 reacts to a shot during the Mann Insurance Pool Tournament at Murugi's Base. Photo/Felix Kinyua. 

Picture this iconic scene:

I sat at the counter with organiser Collins Kinyua, the man whose coordination skills deserve an award.

At the far end of the counter was Madam Murugi, queen of this great empire, running operations with elegance and business sense.

And next to me was Renson Muita, the Mikocheni Team Captain, eyes calm, posture steady, warming up for war.

Then the doors opened.

And walked in K2.

Eh, K2.

Meru’s most confident man without a documented government name.

His real name remains a national secret, but his swagger arrived 30 seconds before he did.

He came straight to the counter, ordered an 80 bob keg, pulled out a 100 bob note, handed it to Murugi and said with the audacity of a newly crowned millionaire:

“Keep the change.”

Ladies and gentlemen, this man tipped 20 bob like he was dropping 2K.

The confidence was spreading faster than free WiFi.

Then — as if warming up — he told Murugi that after winning the tournament prize money, he’d be taking her out.

Before the Base could even digest that announcement…

Tobias Prime entered the story.

With the calmness of a man sent by the ancestors, Tobias eliminated K2 in the very first round.

No warnings.

No mercy.

No negotiations.

And that, my friends, was the last I saw of K2.

He disappeared with the efficiency of a deleted text message.

But Murugi’s Base loves plot twists.

So Tobias, after ending K2’s campaign, later served a walkover in the quarterfinals.

Nothing here is predictable — only entertaining.

MC Maina, the former Murugi’s Base Champion now dethroned by Mathew Kirimi.  Photo/Felix Kinyua.

And then the ground started shaking.

Because Mikocheni arrived.

Nairobi people, brace your souls.

The first major showdown of the night, the one that officially set the Base on fire, was none other than:

Mathew Kirimi vs MC Maina

Yes, THAT early.

Yes, THAT dramatic.

Yes, THAT disrespectful to warm-up culture.

And then the miracle happened:

Mathew Kirimi beat MC Maina right in the first event of the night.

This is MC Maina — the same man who came second in Aquadel’s September tournament after losing only to Kenya’s national pool captain.

A giant.

A favourite.

A name whispered in pool corridors.

And yet, Kirimi said, “Next.”

But he didn’t stop there.

Oh no — he had a giant-slaying itinerary:

He beat Lewis AKA Lewi, the respected Murugi’s team captain.

He beat Philip Gitonga AKA Gatagu, who once whispered to me that he had “won a dozen similar tournaments.”

He had already handled MC Maina earlier.

By the time Kirimi reached the finals, people were whispering legends about his cue stick.

And when all was said and done, Kirimi lifted the crown and walked away with a clean 5K, plus bragging rights heavy enough to be taxed.

Now to Aquadel — they didn’t just sponsor.

They entered the battlefield.

Mr. Bloko, the CEO, played.

Renson Muita, our early counter companion, represented Mikocheni fiercely.

Ian Koome brought fire too.

Muita fought like a man avenging his clan, pushing his way to third place and pocketing 3K after beating Mwirigi in what the fans have now named the Mashemeji Meru Pool Derby.

That rivalry alone could power a whole season of a local TV series.

Gatagu, reached the finals but lost 2–1 to Kirimi, still securing 4K and a wave of respect from the crowd.

Behind everything was the backbone of the night — organiser Collins Kinyua — ensuring the event didn’t collapse into joyful chaos.

And enforcing law and order was referee Alex Mutahi AKA Ali, the man whose whistle holds more authority than many office titles.

No nonsense passed his gaze.

'Genz' makes a grand entrance to the Mann Insurance sponsored pool table tournament at Murugi’s Base.  Photo/Felix Kinyua.

Now, for the soundtrack of the night…

The Mikocheni diehards — Genz, Kajembe, and Milan — entered like a presidential convoy.

Vuvuzelas screaming.

Voices raised.

Speeches delivered without invitation.

Energy uncontainable.

They made sure Murugi’s Base forgot what silence feels like.

And then came Msafu— Meru’s official man of the people.

He provided free transport to the entire Mikocheni crew.

And when the night ended, he stood outside patiently waiting for ALL his people — despite the impatient passengers already inside whispering rebellion.

But Msafu is built differently.

He leaves with everyone.

No man left behind.

As the curtains closed, Aquadel reminded everyone of the next showdown coming in December.

If Saturday was the trailer, December will be the blockbuster of the year.

Ladies and gentlemen, I could keep writing, but for the doubting Thomases — the pictures will testify.

Because when Meru Daily says “Show up,” boredom knows its place.

About the Author

Felix Kinyua is Meru’s early-bird storyteller — the man who arrives before the drama begins, stays until the final laugh fades, and turns unforgettable nights into unforgettable stories.