From ‘Missing in Action’ to ‘Walker, Texas Ranger’: A Kenyan fan remembers Chuck Norris (1940–2026)

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Chuck Norris, the martial arts icon whose screen presence defined action cinema for generations, has passed away on 20th March 2026. He was 86.

From his early action films to the long-running TV series Walker, Texas Ranger, Norris captivated audiences worldwide--and here in Kenya, he left a lasting impression on fans like me.

I first encountered Chuck Norris on the screen in the late 1980s through the days of mobile cinema in Kenya.

Vehicles would roll into towns, setting up projectors on football pitches or open spaces at night. It was during one of these screenings that I watched Missing in Action , the film that cemented his status as the king of martial arts. I remember the excitement of the crowd, the suspense of the story, and, hilariously, someone pelting me with a rotten egg after the cinema! Hahaha. Those nights were unforgettable.

Missing in Action tells the story of a brave American soldier returning to Vietnam to rescue missing prisoners of war (POWs). Norris portrayed a determined, heroic character whose mix of physical skill and moral courage resonated with audiences everywhere.

The film showcased his trademark martial arts prowess while highlighting the resilience and bravery of his character--a combination that made him unforgettable.

Later, I watched Firewalker, where Norris starred alongside Melody Anderson. The adventure-packed storyline allowed him to display not just combat skills but also charisma and humour, proving he could lead any film with energy and charm.

On television, Walker, Texas Ranger became a staple in Kenyan homes during the 1990s. Shown on the then-Voice of Kenya (later KBC), the series portrayed Norris as Cordell Walker, a Texas Ranger fighting crime with an unwavering moral compass and jaw-dropping martial arts moves.

Week after week, he inspired a generation with lessons of justice, discipline, and resilience.

Beyond the screen, Chuck Norris was a celebrated martial artist, holding black belts in multiple disciplines, including Tang Soo Do, Taekwondo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

He won numerous championships and brought martial arts into mainstream cinema, setting a standard for action heroes worldwide.

Chuck Norris’s storylines, though sometimes predictable, were always entertaining. He showed that discipline, courage, and commitment could turn anyone into a hero — whether on a football pitch in Kenya or a cinema screen halfway around the world.

His legacy is not just the fights or stunts, but the inspiration he gave millions.

Although he had gone AWOL from the screen, when the news of his demise came on Friday, March 20, 2026, as I celebrated Eid-ul-Fitr, I was immediately engulfed with grief. A part of his movie The President’s Man kept playing in my mind.

Rest well, my childhood hero, Chuck Norris.

The writer has penned this tribute from his own childhood experience with Chuck Norris movies.