News Focus
- Three footballers compete for the first-ever SportPesa League Player of the Year trophy
- Gor Mahia midfielder Enock Morrison faces Murang’a Seal striker Joseph Waithira and Mara Sugar defender Jimmy Owili
- Veteran coach Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo challenges Charles Akonnor and Fred Ambani for Coach of the Year
- Supporters will choose the Goal and Save of the Season via online voting
- The gala ceremony airs live on Azam TV and the SportPesa YouTube channel
The inaugural SportPesa League Gala Awards will take place on Thursday in Nairobi. The ceremony will honour the best performers from the 2025/26 season.
Gor Mahia midfielder Enock Morrison leads the nominations for the top individual prize. The Ghanaian playmaker helped his club secure the league championship this term. He faces strong competition from Murang’a Seal forward Joseph Waithira and Mara Sugar centre-back Jimmy Owili.
Waithira, nicknamed “King Joe”, earned recognition for his scoring record. His goals lifted Murang’a Seal to prominence throughout the campaign. Meanwhile, Owili established himself as a reliable defender for the newly-promoted Mara Sugar side.
The Coach of the Year category features three distinct candidates. Sammy “Pamzo” Omollo guided APS Bomet to safety in their debut top-flight season. He competes against Gor Mahia’s title-winning manager Charles Akonnor and AFC Leopards’ Fred Ambani. Ambani steered Ingwe to second place, pushing the champions hard until the final weeks.
Young footballers will also receive recognition. The Young Player of the Season shortlist includes Humphrey Aroko of Kariobangi Sharks, Kevin Wangaya from Nairobi United, and Robinson Musungu of Mara Sugar.
Waithira shares the Golden Boot award with Ulinzi Stars striker Paul Okoth. Both players scored nineteen goals during the season. Other prizes include the Golden Glove, Best Defender, Best Midfielder, Team of the Season, and special recognition for referees, journalists and content creators.
Japheth Akhulia, who manages marketing and sponsorships at SportPesa, praised the campaign. He stated that the company takes pride in its first year as title sponsor. He noted the strong competition and growing supporter numbers across the country. Akhulia added that the gala celebrates everyone who contributed to the season’s success.
Fans will decide two categories through public voting. The Goal of the Season and Save of the Season awards open for votes on Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Supporters can cast ballots via official SportPesa League and Football Kenya Federation social media pages.
The entire event will broadcast live on Azam Television and the SportPesa YouTube channel. This allows supporters nationwide to watch the presentations as they happen.