Ten-man KCB FC handed Gor Mahia their first defeat of the 26/27 SportPesa League season after beating the defending champions 2-1 at Moi Stadium in Embu on Sunday afternoon.
Gor Mahia had arrived in Embu with maximum points from their opening four matches, sitting five points clear of KCB at the top of the table. However, their perfect record came to an end as the Bankers secured all three points in an entertaining encounter.
Batshi Assis gave the visitors the lead in the 20th minute, reacting quickest to a miscued effort from Paul Kinyanjui before firing past Kevin Omondi.
The goal was Assis’ third of the season and gave KCB a deserved advantage as the Bankers looked to build on their impressive 3-1 comeback victory over Mombasa United in their previous outing.
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KCB doubled their lead seconds after the half-hour mark following a defensive lapse from Gor Mahia. Paul Ochuoga could only manage a half-hearted clearance, with the loose ball falling into the path of Richard Omondi. The KCB attacker made no mistake, driving a low effort past Kevin Omondi to put the Bankers 2-0 up.
Gor Mahia responded almost immediately and halved the deficit five minutes later. A penalty was awarded after a clearance by Batshi Assis struck Alpha Onyango, with the Gor Mahia midfielder stepping up to convert from the spot and give K’Ogalo a route back into the contest.
KCB nearly restored their two-goal advantage seconds after the restart when Fortune Omotto was fouled just outside the box.
Assis Mambote stepped up to take the resulting free-kick, but his effort took a deflection and narrowly missed the target.
The Bankers continued to threaten, with Burundian international Frank Ndiwumana forcing Kevin Omondi into a save with a powerful left-footed effort from close range.
Gor Mahia came close to finding the equaliser when Alpha Onyango unleashed a long-range grass-cutter that beat the goalkeeper but struck the woodwork on its way out.
KCB responded instantly on the counter, with Paul Kinyanjui finding himself through on goal, only to lift his effort over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Substitute Evans Malo then tested Kevin Omondi moments after coming on, forcing another save as KCB continued to create the better opportunities in the closing stages.
The game took a dramatic turn in the 86th minute when KCB were reduced to ten men. Baron Ochieng, who had earlier been booked in the first half, was shown a second yellow card following a scuffle with Ebenezer Assifuah and was given his marching orders with the game ending in a 2-1 scoreline.
The result moves KCB onto 10 points from five matches, cutting the gap at the summit to just two points, while Gor Mahia remain top on 12 points.
The defeat also ends Gor Mahia’s five-match unbeaten run against KCB in league meetings. K’Ogalo had won three and drawn two of their previous five encounters, including a 3-0 victory in their most recent meeting at Nyayo Stadium on 22 February 2026.
Gor Mahia vs KCB FC SportPesa League Round 5 lineups
Gor Mahia: Kevin Omondi, Daniel Sakari, Paul Ochuoga, Frank Odhiambo, Ebenezer Ocran, Alpha Onyango, Enock Machaka, Lesley Otieno, Patrick Essombe, David Okoth, Paul Okoth
KCB: Elvis Ochieng, Barron Ochieng, Jim Owili, Ammatoni Samyusa, Joshua Onyango, Hemphrey Mieno, Paul Kinsanji, Fidel Otieno, Assis Mambote, Richard Omondi, Franck Nduwimana