The stranglehold is broken, the script flipped, and the usual suspects dethroned. Kenya Police FC have smashed the monopoly at the summit of Kenyan football.

After years of playing catch-up, the law enforcers finally made the biggest bust of all, bagging their maiden title and dragging the league out of the claws of predictability.

Following the historical victory, Kenya Police FC chairman Nyale Munga has admitted that dethroning rivals Gor Mahia as the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League champions for the 2024/25 season was the best thing to have happened to the Kenyan top-flight in a very long time.

The law enforcers finally laid their hands on the coveted trophy following a 1-0 win against Shabana FC at Kenya Stadium in Machakos County on Sunday.  

No more league monotony

“I can say all of us are excited and very happy, simply because we are the champions of the Kenyan Premier League 2024/25 season,” a beaming Munga told Flashscore after the club’s latest success.

“I am overwhelmed, but I am happy for the technical bench, the good job they did, and for the players for their discipline, which helped blend the team to this success and get the job done.

“So far so good, everybody is happy. My bosses are excited, all the fans are happy, personally, I am happy, and all Kenyans are happy, because the monopoly, the jealous outcry that this league belongs to so and so, we have come to teach them that this is football, made in Kenya Police FC.”

Munga added: “We warn them [the rivals] that we have arrived and will continue like this. Heading into the new season, the league is not about Gor Mahia or Tusker. We have shown that any team can take it. A change of guard at the summit is good for the Kenyan top-flight, instead of having one team dominate the league.”

The Kenyan league had been dominated by Gor Mahia for the past two seasons since they dethroned Tusker as champions in the 2022/23 campaign.  

The Brewers, under coach Robert Matano, had previously wrestled the title from K’Ogalo in the 2021/22 season after amassing 66 points, seven more than Gor Mahia, who finished third.

In the 2022/23 season, Gor Mahia reclaimed the trophy after finishing top with 70 points from 20 wins, 10 draws, and four defeats.

It was not an easy ride for K’Ogalo as Tusker pushed them to the final day. Tusker finished second, one point behind, with 20 wins, nine defeats, and four draws.

Last season, it was another close race among Gor Mahia, Tusker, and Kenya Police. Unlike the previous campaign, K’Ogalo were crowned winners with three matches to spare, collecting 73 points.

Tusker came second with 65 points, while Police finished third with 57 points.

Strong finish

With one game remaining, Munga urged his players to stay focused and ensure they wrap up the season in style by beating Gor Mahia on Sunday, June 22, 2025.

“We have one last match,” Munga stressed.  

“We want to finish this league in style. Champions never lose, so on Sunday, we must prepare well and attack the match like wounded buffaloes.

“I don’t expect us to lose, not just a few days after winning our maiden title. It would be really bad if we did. Let’s win the game and show our rivals we are ready. The new season starts now, with the final game against Gor Mahia.”

Police topple Gor Mahia

Burundian tactician Etienne Ndayiragije arrived at Police FC at the end of November with the team stuck in 17th place and battling relegation. He turned things around and led them to their first-ever league title.

The coach took over on December 1, 2024, after the club parted ways with Anthony ‘Modo’ Kimani and Salim Babu. At the time, Police FC had only one win and a draw from seven matches.

The contrast from the previous season was stark then, they had challenged Gor Mahia for the title before fading late in the campaign.

However, they managed to win the FKF Cup after beating KCB on penalties.

Upon his appointment, Police FC had beaten only Mathare United (2-0) and drawn with Tusker (1-1), Ulinzi Stars (0-0), Sofapaka (1-1) and KCB (1-1). They had also lost to Shabana (1-0) and AFC Leopards (1-0).

Ndayiragije turned the tide by winning his first five games—against Nairobi City Stars (3-1), Mara Sugar (1-0), Bidco United (3-0), Gor Mahia (1-0), and FC Talanta (1-0)—before embarking on a nine-match unbeaten run.

After clinching the title, Ndayiragije thanked his players, the club management, and his family.

“We asked and God delivered,” he said. “I also thank the players and club bosses, especially the chairman. I can’t forget my family, who have supported me throughout—my wife, kids, and friends.”

On the title success, he added: “We wanted this immediately I arrived. At first, it didn’t seem possible, we were bottom of the table. But step by step, we moved up, and when Gor and Tusker dropped points, we went for it. It’s something we worked hard for.”

Praise pours in

Shabana coach Peter Okidi congratulated Police FC and wished them success in CAF competitions.

“They had a good season and deserved the title. As they represent Kenya in CAF, we want them to make us proud.”

Okidi admitted that an injury to striker Darius Msagha disrupted their game plan. “We conceded from a set-piece, something that has let us down all season.”

He concluded: “We’ll regroup during pre-season, reinforce the squad, and fight for the title next season. We will be among the contenders, of that, I’m sure.”

Kenya Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya led congratulatory messages, hailing Police FC for their discipline and teamwork.

“This is a historic victory that shows the growing strength of local football,” Mvurya said.

“We will continue supporting clubs and talent development.”

Gor Mahia VP Sally Bolo added: “This wasn’t the ending we hoped for, but credit where it’s due—congrats to Police FC. Enjoy your moment, we’ll be back stronger.”

FKF posted: “Salute to your new FKF Premier League champions—congratulations Kenya Police FC.”

Police will be officially crowned on Sunday, June 22, 2025, when they face Gor Mahia. The ceremony will include a guard of honour and presentation of the trophy before they head to the CAF Champions League.