- The nominees for the 25/26 SportPesa League Player of the Year Award include Jimmy Owili, Shariff Musa, Joe Waithira, Enoch Morrison and Kayci Odhiambo.
- The winner will be unveiled in the gala awards set for June 4.
- These awards come in the first season after gaming giants SportPesa took over sponsorship of Kenya’s topflight league.
After months of drama, brilliance and unforgettable performances in the 25/26 SportPesa League season, the race for the ultimate individual honour is officially on.
This is after five standout stars who lit up the 25/26 SportPesa League campaign with match-winning displays have been nominated for the coveted Player of the Season award, setting the stage for a fierce battle to be crowned the league’s finest.
The nominees for the Player of the Year gong include Jimmy Owili (Mara Sugar), Shariff Musa (Gor Mahia), Joe Waithira (Murang’a SEAL), Enoch Morrison (Gor Mahia) and Kayci Odhiambo (AFC Leopards).
Waithira lands the nomination after a highly productive campaign that currently sees him top the scoring charts with 19 goals to his name, helping his Murang’a SEAL side overcome scares of relegation during the season.
His impressive performances saw him earn 1 SportPesa League Player of the Month Award (December 2025) and 7 man of the match awards.
Ghana’s Morrison is also among the nominees after steering K’Ogalo back to league glory with instrumental performances in the middle of the park.
His 3 goal and 4 assists complemented his consistency for Gor Mahia who will be crowned the 25/26 SportPesa League champions for a record-extending 22nd time after dethroning Kenya Police.
Morrison will be joined by teammate Musa who was also instrumental in helping Gor end their one-year title drought.
Musa was a consistent menace on the flanks and contributed to the team’s performance with 6 goals and 7 assists, winning the October 2025 SportPesa League Player of the Month award.
Joining the trio is Kayci from AFC Leopards who came so close to ending their 28-year title drought but just ran out of steam in the final weeks.
Kayci contributed to 13 clean sheets for the team and chipped in with a further three goals from defense.
Completing the list is Mara Sugar’s defender Jimmy Owili who has been in scintillating form.
Owili has provided an impressive 3 goals and 8 assists from his left back position, helping Mara Sugar into the top 10 places.
ALSO READ: Preparations hit top gear for 25/26 SportPesa League end of season gala
25/26 SportPesa League Awards
The gala ceremony for the 25/26 SportPesa League Awards will take place on June 4 in an invite-only event at the Glee Hotel.
Among the awards set to be issued in the event include the prestigious Player of the Year gong, Golden Boot, Coach of the season, Team of the season as well as the Golden Glove.
Other interesting categories include Best Journalist, Best referee, best team manager and even best fan of the year.
Speaking on the preparations, SportPesa’s Sponsorships & Partnerships manager Japheth Akhulia said, “When we got back into this sponsorship, the aim was for the SportPesa League to always deliver the best practices in Kenyan football. Being the first full season of the SportPesa League, the gala will reward the standout players and moments in the season.
We aim to celebrate all the standout moments from the season and appreciate all the players that stood out in the season Plans are underway to deliver the best campaign and we surely will put on the best show for Kenyan football,” Akhulia said.
25/26 SportPesa League Player of the Year nominees
● Enock Morrison – Gor Mahia
30 matches
3 goals
4 assists, 21 chances created
61 balls won, 34 tackles won
15 POT Match, 9 TOT Week, 3 POT Month nominations
3 TOT Month
● Jimmy Owili – Mara Sugar
33 matches
3 goals
8 assists, 29 chances created
157 clearances, 80 interceptions, 52 balls won
7 POT Match, 10 TOT Week, 2 POT Month nominations
3 TOT Month
● Joseph Waithira – Muranga Seal
– 32 matches
19 goals
2 assists, 35 chances created
74 shot attempts, 51% shot accuracy,
7 POT Match, 10 TOT Week, 2 POT Month nominations
3 TOT Month
1 POT Month award
● Musa Shariff – Gor Mahia
33 matches,
6 goals
7 assists, 37 chances created, 60 shot attempts, 37% shot accuracy,
5 POT Match, 7 TOT Week, 1 POT Month nominations,
2 TOT Month
1 POT Month award
● Kayci Odhiambo – AFC Leopards
26 matches,
3 goals
13 clean sheets, 130 clearances, 55 interceptions, 26 blocks
3 POT Match, 4 TOT Week, 1 POT Month nomination
1 TOT Month