Kenyan Premier League

This article is about the FKF Premier League. For the FKF Premier League 2015, see 2015 in Kenyan football.

FKF Premier League

Founded	1963;61 years ago (1963)
Country	Kenya
Confederation	CAF
Number of clubs	18
Level on pyramid	1
Relegation to	National Super League
Domestic cup(s)	FKF Cup Super Cup Top 8 Cup
International cup(s)	CAF Champions League CAF Confederation Cup
Current champions	Gor Mahia (2023–24)
Most championships	Gor Mahia (21 titles)
TV partners	Azam TV KBC
Website	kenyanpremierleague.com fkfpl.com
Current: 2024–25 Kenyan Premier League

The Kenyan Premier League (KPL), officially known as the FKF Premier League, is a professional league for men's football clubs in Kenya. Standing at the top of the Kenyan football league system, the league was formed in 1963 under the Kenya Football Federation but is now controlled by the Football Kenya Federation. It is contested by 18 clubs and operates on a promotion and relegation system with the Kenyan National Super League. Gor Mahia are the current champions having won the 2023–24 season.

The league was mostly stable until the late 1990s and since then its performance had been considered below average, with many of the league's clubs having little or no finances to support themselves. However, when SuperSport became an official league partner, the league has taken on a more serious role with teams becoming professional and the majority of the clubs managing to get kit sponsorships. This saw the level of competition improve compared to past periods.

Origin

Following constant wrangles between the then football governing administration and the eventual deteriorating of the National Football League, participating clubs opted out and decided to form a company that would see the smooth running of the league in a professional and transparent manner. In 2003, the Kenyan Premier League was created and registered as a limited liability company whose ownership was shared amongst all the sixteen participating clubs and was to be affiliated to the Kenya Football Federation.

The league was known as the Kenya National Football League from its creation in 1963 to 1996, the Kenyan Super League in 1973 and 1997 and, from 1998, the Kenyan Premier League.

Corporate structure

The Kenyan Premier League is operated and run as a private limited company incorporated in October 2003 under the Companies Act of Kenya. It is fully owned and managed by the 18 member clubs with each club being a shareholder. It is affiliated to Football Kenya Federation, which is also a shareholder and voting member of the KPL Board of directors. Non-voting members include the Kenya Football Coaches Association and the Kenya Football Referees Association.

The current CEO is Jack Oguda and Frank Okoth is the current COO and LNO. Okoth is also in charge of logistics.

Sponsorship

East African Breweries, through their Tusker brand, held the naming rights to the league from 21 August 2012 to 6 August 2015.

The improved level of competition and eventual attention given to the league by the fans has seen major companies in Kenya lining up to partner with clubs. At the moment, the league does not have a title sponsorship but it has a broadcasting deal with SuperSport. Umbro is the official referee kit supplier and is also the official ball provider.

On 18 October 2012 the league signed a KSh.10 million/= (US$117,275; £73,242 stg; €90,052) deal with Puma, which made them the Official ball supplier for the league and its clubs with immediate effect. ^[1]

On 24 November 2020, Football Kenya Federation (FKF) unveiled StarTimes as their official broadcasting partners for the FKF Premier League, through signing a seven-year deal worth US$1.1 million (KSh.110 million/= per year). ^[2]

On 31 August 2023, Football Kenya Federation(FKF) unveiled Azam TV as their official broadcasting partners for the FKF premier league, after they signed a Seven-Year deal worth US$9.1 million(ksh1.3 billion). As per the agreement, Azam would pay an initial fee of Sh145 million(US$1 million) to the federation for the first season, with an increment of 10%($100,000/sh14.5 million)for the subsequent Seasons.

Title sponsor

On 21 August 2012, the Kenyan Premier League signed a KSh.170 million/= (US$2.02 million; £1.28 million  stg; €1.62 million) deal with East African Breweries to rename the league to the Tusker Premier League, the most lucrative deal in Kenyan football history at the time. ^[3]

On 6 August 2015, East African betting company SportPesa gained the naming rights to the league, signing a four-and-a-half-year deal with the KPL reportedly worth KSh.450 million/= (approx. US$4.36 million, £2.84 million stg. or €3.87 million) to rename the league to the SportPesa Premier League. ^[4] As part of the sponsorship, a new trophy was revealed by SportPesa and the KPL on 30 October 2015, with Gor Mahia, the 2015 champions, set to be its first recipient and retain the previous trophy for good. The trophy was manufactured in Italy, weighs 12 kg (26 lb) and is made of brass. ^[5] In 2018, SportPesa ceased operating in Kenya and ended its sponsorship of the KPL. ^[6]

In July 2020, the FKF has announced a title sponsorship deal for the KPL with online betting firm BetKing Kenya in a five-year deal worth a total of KES1.2bn ($11.2m/€9.8m), or an average of KES240m per year, with the league called the BetKing Premier League. ^[7] The deal was terminated in 2021. ^[8]

Period	Sponsor	Name
2012 to 2015	East African Breweries	Tusker Premier League
2015 to 2018	SportPesa	SportPesa Premier League
2018 to 2019	No title sponsor	Kenyan Premier League
2020 to 2021	BetKing	BetKing Premier League
2021 to present	No title sponsor	Kenyan Premier League

Competition

There are 18 clubs in the Kenyan Premier League. ^[9] During the course of a season, traditionally from February to November but switched to August to May in 2018, each club plays the others twice (a double round-robin system): once at their home stadium and once at that of their opponents, for a total of 34 games. Teams receive three points for a win and one point for a draw. No points are awarded for a loss. Teams are ranked by total points, then goal difference, and then goals scored. At the end of each season, the club with the most points is crowned champion. If points are equal, the goal difference and then goals scored determine the winner. If still equal, the ordering is determined by their head-to-head records. If there is a tie for the championship, for relegation, or for qualification to other competitions, a play-off match at a neutral venue decides rank. The two lowest placed teams are relegated to the National Super League, with its top two teams promoted in their place. The 16th placed team squares off with the third-best team from the National Super League for the third promotion slot.

In 2018 the league switched from a Feb/Nov calendar to an August to May competition to bring it in line with other countries. ^[10] The 2018/2019 season bridges the gap running from December 2018 to July 2019 after which the seasons will align with those of European nations.

2023–24 teams

The league's most popular teams are rivals A.F.C. Leopards and Gor Mahia.last title-winning season in 2018, while A.F.C. Leopards won their 12th league title in 1998.

Team	Location	Stadium	Capacity	Head Coach
A.F.C. Leopards	Nairobi	Nyayo National Stadium	30,000	Tomáš Trucha
Bandari	Mombasa	Mombasa Municipal Stadium	10,000	John Baraza
Bidco United F.C.	Thika	Thika Municipal Stadium	20,000	Anthony Akhulia
Gor Mahia	Nairobi	Nairobi City Stadium	15,000	Johnathan McKinstry
Kakamega Homeboyz	Kakamega	Bukhungu Stadium	5,000	Patrick Odhiambo
Kariobangi Sharks	Nairobi	Kasarani Stadium	5,000	William Muluya
Kenya Commercial Bank	Nairobi	Nairobi City Stadium	15,000	Bernard Mwalala
Muhoroni	Muhoroni	Muhoroni Stadium	5,000	Charles Odero
Murang'a Seals	Murang'a	St Sebastién Park	5,000	Abdalla Juma
Nairobi City Stars	Nairobi	World Hope Stadium	5,000	Nicholas Muyoti
Nzoia Sugar	Bungoma	Sudi Stadium	5,000	Mike Mururi
Police FC	Nairobi	Police Sacco Stadium	3,000	Salim Babu
Posta Rangers	Eldoret	Utalii Grounds	10,000	John Kamau
Shabana	Kisii	Gusii Stadium	15,000	Sammy Omollo
Sofapaka	Nairobi	Nyayo Stadium	5,000	Zedekiah Otieno
Talanta	Nairobi	Nyayo Stadium	5,000	Jack Gatheru
Tusker	Nairobi	Kinoru Stadium	60,000	Robert Matano
Ulinzi Stars	Nakuru	Lang'ata Sports Complex	8,200	Anthony Kimani
Vihiga Bullets	Kakamega	Bukhungu Stadium	5,000	Mike Mururi

Location Map

Bandari

Bidco

Nzoia

Rangers

Ulinzi

Wazito

Zoo

Nairobi

Nairobi teams:
A.F.C. Leopards
Kariobangi
KCB
Mathare
City Stars
Sofapaka
Tusker

Kakamega

Kakamega teams:
Homeboyz
Vihiga
Western Stima

class=notpageimage|

Location of 2020-21 Kenyan Premier League teams

Previous winners

Years	Champions
1963	Nakuru All-Stars (1)
1964	Luo Union (1)
1965	Feisal (1)
1966	Abaluhya Léopards (1)
1967	Abaluhya Léopards (2)
1968	Gor Mahia (1)
1969	Not held
1970	Abaluhya Léopards (3)
1971	Scrapped
1972	Tusker (1)
1973	Abaluhya Léopards (4)
1974	Gor Mahia (2)
1975	Luo Union (2)
1976	Gor Mahia (3)
1977	Tusker (2)
1978	Tusker (3)
1979	Gor Mahia (4)
1980	Abaluhya Léopards (5)
1981	Abaluhya Léopards (6)
1982	Abaluhya Léopards (7)
1983	Gor Mahia (5)
1984	Gor Mahia (6)
1985	Gor Mahia (7)
1986	Abaluhya Léopards (8)
1987	Gor Mahia (8)
1988	Abaluhya Léopards (9)
1989	Abaluhya Léopards (10)
1990	Gor Mahia (9)
1991	Gor Mahia (10)
1992	Abaluhya Léopards (11)
1993	Gor Mahia (11)
1994	Tusker (4)
1995	Gor Mahia (12)
1996	Tusker (5)
1997	Utalii (1)
1998	Abaluhya Léopards (12)
1999	Tusker (6)
2000	Tusker (7)
2001	Oserian Fastac (1)
2002	Oserian Fastac (2)
2003	Ulinzi Stars (1)
2004	Ulinzi Stars (2)
2005	Ulinzi Stars (3)
2006	Sony Sugar (1)
2007	Tusker (8)
2008	Mathare United (1)
2009	Sofapaka (1)
2010	Ulinzi Stars (4)
2011	Tusker (9)
2012	Tusker (10)
2013	Gor Mahia (13)
2014	Gor Mahia (14)
2015	Gor Mahia (15)
2016	Tusker (11)
2017	Gor Mahia (16)
2018	Gor Mahia (17)
2018–19	Gor Mahia (18)
2019–20	Gor Mahia (19)
2020–21	Tusker (12)
2021–22	Tusker (13)
2022–23	Gor Mahia (20)
2023–24	Gor Mahia (21)

Source: RSSSF – Kenya – List of champions

Total titles won

Club	Winners	Winning years
Gor Mahia	21	1968, 1974, 1976, 1979, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2022–23, 2023–24
Tusker	13	1972, 1977, 1978, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2000, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2020-21, 2021-22
A.F.C. Leopards	12	1966, 1967, 1970, 1973, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1992, 1998
Ulinzi Stars	4	2003, 2004, 2005, 2010
Luo Union	2	1964, 1975
Oserian		2001, 2002
Nakuru AllStars	1	1963
Feisal		1965
Utalii		1997
Sony Sugar		2006
Mathare United		2008
Sofapaka		2009

Top scorers in past seasons

"This man was a like a lion my friend, he had no mercy with goalkeepers. Most of them used to run away from goal when they see him because he would kill you with the shots. There was no joke. He was on fire. Leave the kids of nowadays alone; you score only 12 goals and you're top scorer? Our days were tough."

– Joe Kadenge speaking in October 2010 on his days as a player with Maurice Ochieng. ^[11]

The league record for most goals scored in one season is currently held by Maurice Ochieng, who completed the 1976 season with 26 goals for Gor Mahia. ^[12] His former teammate, Joe Kadenge, praised him as a lethal striker in front of goal. ^[11]

[*]Award was shared during that season

Year	Player	Club	Goals
1976	Maurice Ochieng	Gor Mahia	26
2006	Boniface Ambani	Tusker	21
2007	Kevin Ngugi	Coast Stars	15
2008	Francis Ouma	Mathare United	15
[*]2009	John Baraza	Sofapaka	15
[*]2009	Emeka Joseph	Tusker	15
2010	John Baraza	Sofapaka	15
2011	Stephen Waruru	Ulinzi Stars	12
2012	John Baraza	Sofapaka	18
2013	Jacob Keli	Kenya Commercial Bank	17
2014	Dan Sserunkuma	Gor Mahia	16
2015	Jesse Were	Tusker	22
2016	John Makwatta	Ulinzi Stars	18
2017	Masoud Juma	Kariobangi Sharks	17
2018	Erick Kapaito	Kariobangi Sharks	16
[*]2018–19	Allan Wanga	Kakamega Homeboyz	17
[*]2018–19	Umaru Kasumba	Sofapaka	17
[*]2018–19	Enosh Ochieng	Ulinzi Stars	17
2019–20	Timothy Otieno	Tusker	14
2020–21	Erick Kapaito	Kariobangi Sharks	24
2021–22	Derrick Otanga	KCB	16
2022–23	Elvis Rupia	Kenya Police	27
2023-24	Benson Omala	Gor Mahia	19

Most time topscorers

• 3 times
  • John Baraza (2009, 2010, 2012)

Most goals by a player in a single season

• 27 goals
  • Elvis Rupia (2022-23)

Multiple hat-tricks

Rank	Country	Player	Hat-tricks
1		Elvis Rupia	5
2		Erick Kapaito	4
		John Makwatta
4		Benson Omala	3
		Jesse Were
6		Enoch Agwanda	1
		Boniface Akenga
		Elvis Barasa
		Ojok Deogracious
		Ibrahim Joshua
		Lawrence Juma
		Masoud Juma
		Patrick Kaddu
		Meddie Kagere
		Michael Karamor
		Sydney Lokale
		Boniface Muchiri
		Paul Mungal
		Keiphas Mutuu
		John Mwangi
		Enosh Ochieng
		Raymond Ochieng
		Bernard Odhiambo
		Vincent Ogolla
		George Ogutu
		Michael Olunga
		Felix Oluoch
		Justine Omwando
		Mwingi Shami Kibwama
		Erisa Ssekisambu
		Dan Sserunkuma
		Jacques Tuyisenge
		Victor Umune
		Philip Wanjala
		Stephen Waruru
		Brian Yakhama

Most hat-tricks in single season

• 10 hat-tricks (2022-23)

Most hat-tricks by a player in a single season;

• 3 hat-tricks
  • Jesse Were (2015)

See also

• Kenyan Women's Premier League
• Kenyan football league system

References

1. "Puma deal for Premier League". SuperSport.com. 18 October 2012. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
2. Eshitemi, Rodgers (24 November 2020). "FKF unveils StarTimes as official Premier League broadcast partners, KTN acquires free to air rights". Standard Media. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
3. "KPL now Tusker PL in Sh170m deal". 98.4 Capital FM. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
4. "SportPesa are new sponsors of Kenyan Premier League". Goal.com. 6 August 2015. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
5. "New SportPesa Premier League trophy unveiled". Kenyan Premier League. 30 October 2015. Archived from the original on 17 August 2016. Retrieved 31 October 2015.
6. "SportPesa to end Kenya football league sponsorship over tax". BBC News. 2017-06-23.
7. Ross, Martin (2020-07-16). "FKF heralds eight-figure Kenyan Premier League title sponsorship". SportBusiness.
8. Fletcher, Robert (2021-08-09). "Kenyan Premier League terminates BetKing sponsorship deal". iGB.
9. "Summary – Premier League – Kenya". soccerway.com.
10. "KPL embraces changes for new season". 4 July 2020.
11. Dennis Machio (24 October 2010). "Kenya's all time top scorer Maurice Sonyi honored" . Retrieved 15 July 2012. (Portion of Joe Kadenge quote translated from Swahili)
12. James Waindi. "Sonyi fears his son Ochieng' will down Gor Mahia" . Retrieved 15 July 2012.

External links

• Kenyan Premier League – official website
• Kenyan Premier League at FIFA (archived)
• Kenya – List of Champions at the RSSSF

• FKFPL Livescores