Gor Mahia Crowned FKF Premier League Champions For Record 22nd Time

Gor Mahia have been crowned 2025-26 FKF Premier League champions for a record-extending 22nd time after AFC Leopards failed to keep the title race alive on Sunday.

K’Ogalo secured the title without kicking a ball after Ingwe suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat away to APS Bomet at Kericho Green Stadium.

The result left AFC Leopards on 64 points with one game remaining, four behind Gor Mahia, who sit top on 68 points with a match in hand.

Charles Akonnor’s side had seen their scheduled clash against Mara Sugar postponed following intervention from the Sports Disputes Tribunal over a disagreement surrounding the venue for the fixture.

Despite the off-field drama, Gor Mahia still ended the weekend celebrating another league crown after APS Bomet delivered a huge blow to their bitter rivals’ fading hopes.

AFC Leopards needed nothing short of victory to force the title race into the final day, but Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo’s in-form APS Bomet side proved too strong in the second half.

After a quiet opening period, Phillip Wasai broke the deadlock in the 58th minute after capitalising on defensive hesitation from Kelly Madada before curling his effort beyond Humphrey Katasi.

Things quickly worsened for Ingwe four minutes later as APS Bomet launched another rapid counterattack. Festus Kipkemoi delivered a dangerous cross into the area and Wasai rose highest to head home his second goal of the afternoon.

Leopards managed to pull one back late on through an own goal from Edward Masembe, but the visitors could not find an equaliser as their title ambitions officially came to an end.

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The defeat means AFC Leopards will now have to wait at least another season in their quest to end a league title drought stretching over two decades.

For Gor Mahia, the triumph marks an immediate response after losing the title to Kenya Police last season.

Under Akonnor, K’Ogalo experienced an inconsistent campaign filled with both criticism and pressure, but they ultimately found the consistency needed to reclaim their place at the summit of Kenyan football.

APS Bomet’s victory also continued their remarkable form. The league debutants have now gone 10 matches unbeaten, including eight straight victories, securing their place among the season’s standout performers.

Meanwhile, the postponed Gor Mahia versus Mara Sugar fixture remains under tribunal review after FKF rejected Mara Sugar’s proposed alternative venue.

Gor Mahia had raised concerns over security and playing conditions at Awendo Stadium, prompting FKF to direct Mara Sugar to seek another venue. Mara Sugar later proposed Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County, but FKF rejected the request, insisting it was not among the club’s approved alternative grounds.

The matter is expected to be heard on Tuesday, May 26, although the outcome will have no impact on the title race.

K’Ogalo are now set to shift focus toward continental football after securing qualification for next season’s CAF Champions League.

The league title also comes with financial rewards. Gor Mahia are expected to receive KSh 15 million in prize money from FKF while participation in the CAF Champions League guarantees at least USD 100,000 (approximately KSh 12.9 million) even if they are eliminated in the preliminary rounds.

Should they progress to the group stages, the financial rewards could rise significantly, with CAF offering a minimum of USD 700,000 to clubs that reach that phase of the competition.

Gor Mahia players and fans celebrated wildly after confirmation of the title triumph, with videos emerging from the club’s camp in Homa Bay as supporters mocked both AFC Leopards and Mara Sugar following the dramatic conclusion to the title race.