Will Kenya Police pop champagne and end Gor dominance?

Kenya Police FC players celebrate Mohammed Bajaber's goal against Bidco United FC during their FKF Premier League match at Kenyatta Stadium in Nairobi on February 15, 2025. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

For the past 15 years, the FKF Premier League title has been a two-club affair as record Kenyan champions Gor Mahia and Tusker exchanged victory laps.

K'Ogalo has had the best show of the decade with nine titles as the brewers collected four with the exception of the 2022 season that was declared null and void.

Today, however, that run might come to an end if league leaders Kenya Police avoid defeat against Shabana in a penultimate FKF Premier League match set to be played at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos from 3pm.

A win or a draw will see Police crowned the 2024-2025 champions, dethroning Gor Mahia, who have won the title the last two years, in addition to ending the decade-long dominance of Gor and Tusker.

The last time a team not donning the yellow and green lifted the title was Ulinzi Stars when they were crowned champions in 2010.

Etienne Ndayiragije's charges, however, must be wary of the threat posed by the Glamour Boys, who have impressed this season with consistent results that have placed them among the top five teams.

In fact, in their last three meetings, Shabana has won one, drawn once and lost once, clearly displaying how tricky the match will be, especially having won the first leg 1-0 at Gusii Stadium last year in November.

But defending champions Gor seem to have fixed their eyes on the FKF Cup rather than the title, with interim head coach Zedekiah Otieno planning to use their encounter against Ulinzi Stars to prepare for the mid-season cup competition that will guarantee them a spot in continental football.

While the FKF Premier League champions will play in the CAF Champions League, the FKF Cup winners will represent Kenya in the CAF Confederations Cup. Gor will face off with National Super League champions Nairobi United in the domestic cup final.

Otieno has downplayed their chances of retaining the league, which are slender considering their six-point gap between them and leaders Police.

The law enforcers currently lead the log with 61 points, followed by Gor with 55 points.

For Gor to win the title, Shabana must beat Police, and Gor must edge out Ulinzi Stars, results that will set a final day thriller as Police face Gor in the final day of the season. With a greater goal difference, K'Ogalo would have an upper hand if they win the season finale.

"As much as we are still in the title race, our main focus now is winning the FKF Cup next month against Nairobi United. We want to go out and enjoy ourselves against Ulinzi. Zero pressure," said Otieno.

Other matches will see Mara Sugar face Murang'a Seal at Awendo Green Stadium, Mathare United take on Bandari at Kasarani Annex, Talanta host AFC Leopards at Dandora Stadium, and Tusker lock horns with Kariobangi Sharks at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos.