The 2025/26 SportPesa League season reaches its climax this Thursday with the inaugural SportPesa League Gala Awards, a ceremony set to honour outstanding performers across the league, including players, coaches, clubs, fans, and media professionals.
The event, staged for the first time under SportPesa’s title sponsorship, will celebrate a season marked by high competition and standout performances, with Gor Mahia emerging as league champions after a strong campaign.
Top individual honours in focus
The Player of the Season award headlines the night, with three nominees in contention for the league’s highest individual accolade: Gor Mahia midfielder Enock Morrison, Mara Sugar defender Jimmy Owili, and Murang’a Seal forward Joseph Waithira.
Morrison played a key role in Gor Mahia’s title-winning run, Owili stood out as one of the most dependable defenders for Mara Sugar in their debut top-flight season, while Waithira’s sharp finishing for Murang’a Seal made him one of the league’s most exciting attacking talents.
Coaches recognised for strong campaigns
The Coach of the Season category features Gor Mahia’s Charles Akonnor, AFC Leopards coach Fred Ambani, and APS Bomet’s Sammy Omollo, all of whom guided their teams through notable improvements and competitive seasons.
Rising stars on display
Young Player of the Season will spotlight emerging talent, with Kariobangi Sharks’ Humphrey Aroko, Nairobi United’s Kevin Wangaya, and Mara Sugar’s Robinson Musungu earning recognition for breakthrough performances that have underlined the league’s growing pool of young talent.
SportPesa Marketing and Sponsorships Manager Japheth Akhulia said the inaugural gala reflects a successful first season under the sponsorship, highlighting improved standards on and off the pitch and growing fan engagement across the country.
He added that the ceremony will serve as both a celebration and a foundation for even greater progress in the seasons ahead.
Media and storytelling honoured
The Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) will oversee the Golden Pen Award and Content Creator of the Year categories, recognising journalists and digital creators who have helped elevate the visibility and storytelling of Kenyan football.
SJAK President James Waindi emphasised the importance of media in shaping the sport’s growth, noting that journalists and creators play a key role in documenting the league’s journey and inspiring future generations.
Full list of awards
Other categories to be presented 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.
Fans will directly influence two categories — Goal of the Season and Save of the Season — through public voting.
Voting information
Voting opens on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, across official SportPesa League and Football Kenya Federation (FKF) social media platforms.
The Gala Awards will be broadcast live on Azam TV and the SportPesa YouTube channel, giving fans across the region access to the ceremony.
Selected nominees
Player of the Season: Enock Morrison (Gor Mahia), Jimmy Owili (Mara Sugar), Joseph 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)
