How Kenya Police shot their way to KPL title glory

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

Kenya Police; not Gor Mahia, or Tusker, or AFC Leopards, teams burnished with star talent and years of accumulated knowhow; are the new FKF Premier League champions.

The Law Enforcers were crowned champions over the weekend after edging out Shabana 1-0 in Machakos, victory that stretched their lead at the top of the FKF Premier League standings to 64 points, six points ahead of their closest rivals Gor Mahia with one match left.

Police did flirt with relegation at the start of the 2024-2025 season, but they ultimately secured their first-ever league title.

Initially, after the first eight matches, they were struggling, with only one win, five draws, and two losses, placing them deep in the relegation zone with ex-coach Salim Babu in charge of the team.

Police, with their foreign tactician Etienne Ndayiragije from Burundi, defied all odds to dethrone the mighty K'Ogalo, the Kenyan revered champions boasting of 21 titles, with nine of those coming in the last 15 years.

In fact, Police's maiden title since they earned promotion to the top flight league ends the more than a decade long dominance of Gor and Tusker, two teams that have exchanged victory parade in the last 15 seasons.

Since 2010, Gor Mahia have won nine titles (2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023 and 2024) while Tusker have won the title four times (2011, 2012, 2016, and 2021). The 2022 season was declared null and void.

Police ends the two teams' dominance and for captain David Ochieng, they would have not achieved that without Burundian tactician Ndayiragije's coaching masterclass.

Appointed in November 29 last year to replace the now Rising Stars coach Salim Babu, the former Azam FC (Tanzania) and Bugesera FC (Rwanda) coach won 17 matches while registering five draws and only four defeats ahead of the season finale duel with Gor on Saturday.

"It has been a very tough but rewarding season for us. We deserve this title after the work we put in the numerous weeks we have played."

"Since Ndayiragije arrived, he has been excellent in matters player motivation, tactics and he strengthened the confidence in us. Everything he taught us worked," said Ochieng.

Since being promoted in 2021, Police have built tremendous squads but it is this year's caliber that delivered the revered gong as their defense is currently the best in the 18-team league having conceded only 16 goals in the 33 matches played so far.

With 36 goals scored, the consistency of their results since January has been key to their triumph with defending champions Gor Mahia who were seeking a record extending 22nd title faltering with management wrangles that hindered their performance after being clear favorites.

Gor will hand Police a guard of honor this Saturday when they face the new champions in the season finale.