Nairobi, June 2, 2026 – The curtain will officially come down on the 2025/26 SportPesa League season this Thursday as the league’s finest players, coaches, clubs, fans, and storytellers gather for the inaugural SportPesa League Gala Awards.
The awards gala, the first to be staged under SportPesa’s title sponsorship of the league, will celebrate excellence across the game following a highly competitive season that saw Gor Mahia crowned league champions and several standout performances emerge from across the country.
Among the night’s most eagerly anticipated honours is the coveted Player of the Season award, where three outstanding performers will battle for the league’s highest individual accolade. Gor Mahia midfield maestro Enock Morrison, Mara Sugar defender Jimmy Owili, and Murang’a Seal forward Joseph Waithira headline a stellar shortlist that reflects the quality witnessed throughout the campaign.
Morrison was instrumental in Gor Mahia’s title-winning season, Owili established himself as one of the league’s most consistent defensive performers for newcomers Mara, while ‘King Joe’s goalscoring exploits propelled Murang’a Seal into the spotlight.
Can Pamzo upset the odds?
The race for Coach of the Season promises to be equally compelling. Gor Mahia’s Charles Akonnor, AFC Leopards’ Fred Ambani, and APS Bomet’s Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo have all been recognised after guiding their respective sides through impressive campaigns that dwarfed last season’s performances.
Young talent will also be celebrated through the Young Player of the Season category, featuring Humphrey Aroko (Kariobangi Sharks), Kevin Wangaya (Nairobi United), and Robinson Musungu (Mara Sugar), three players who have emerged as some of the brightest prospects in Kenyan football.
“As we conclude our first season as title sponsors of the SportPesa League, we are proud of the progress made both on and off the pitch. The league has flowed well, competition has been strong, fan interest has grown, and we have crowned worthy champions in Gor Mahia,” said SportPesa Marketing and Sponsorships Manager Japheth Akhulia.
“We now look forward to celebrating the players, coaches, clubs, fans, and stakeholders who have made this season special at the Gala Awards. We believe it will be a fitting conclusion to a successful season and a strong foundation for even bigger things ahead,” he added.
Journalists to be recognized
The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) will play a key role in recognising excellence beyond the pitch, overseeing the selection of the prestigious Golden Pen Award and the Content Creator of the Year Award, acknowledging the journalists and digital storytellers whose work has helped grow the profile of Kenyan football throughout the season.
“The Golden Pen Award and Content Creator of the Year categories celebrate the vital role that journalists, broadcasters, photographers, videographers, and digital creators play in connecting fans to the game. Their work helps preserve the history of our sport, inspire future generations, and elevate the profile of Kenyan football,” said SJAK President James Waindi.
Other awards to be presented on the night include Golden Boot, Golden Glove, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Goal of the Season, Save of the Season, Team of the Season, Players’ Player of the Season, Fan of the Season, Best Referee, Most Disciplined Player, Most Disciplined Team, and the President’s Award.
The Goal of the Season and Save of the Season winners will be determined through public voting, giving fans an opportunity to directly influence two of the night’s most exciting categories.
How to vote
Voting for the categories open Wednesday, June 3 2026 in all official SportPesa League and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) social media platforms.
The SportPesa League Gala Awards will be beamed LIVE on Azam TV and the SportPesa YouTube channel, giving all fans and lovers of the game an opportunity to experience an event of its kind.
Main Nominees:
Player of the Season
· Enock Morrison (Gor Mahia)
· Jimmy Owili (Mara Sugar)
· Joe Waithira (Murang’a Seal)
Coach of the Season
· Charles Akonnor (Gor Mahia)
· Fred Ambani (AFC Leopards)
· Sammy Omollo (APS Bomet)
Young Player of the Season
- Humphrey Aroko (Kariobangi Sharks)
- Kevin Wangaya (Nairobi United)
- Robinson Musungu (Mara Sugar)
Best Midfielder
- Enock Morrison (Gor Mahia)
- Tyson Otieno (AFC Leopards)
- Estone Esiye (Kakamega Homeboyz)
Best Defender
- Jimmy Owili (Mara Sugar)
- Abud Omar (Kenya Police)
- Wycliffe Omondi (Shabana)
Golden Glove
- Stephen Ochieng Otieno (Shabana)
Golden Boot
- Joseph Waithira (Murang’a Seal)
- Paul Okoth (Ulinzi Stars)
Fan of the Season
- Abraham Otieno (AFC Leopards) Frank Mombasa (Shabana)
- Leonard Onyango “Taya Dok” (Gor Mahia) Collins Lumumba (Kakamega Homeboyz)
- Katrina Wamboi (KCB)
