Football was introduced to Kenya at the beginning of the twentieth century by British colonizers and it continues to be the country’s most favorable kind of sport. Citizens of the country follow each and every match of their favorite domestic football clubs. Therefore, all the games of their national teams draw enormous crowds. Harambee Stars is the Kenya national football team that represents the country in international competitions.
Football Kenya Federation is an official regulatory authority of this sport in the country which was founded in 2011. Its president is Nick Mwendwa for now. The Kenyan Premier League is the country’s sole league that is fully professional. It was founded in 1963 and comprises 18 football clubs. Kenyan National Super League is another league that takes the second level in the tier league system of the country and includes 20 clubs. In this article, you will find out about the existing football clubs, the most famous tournaments and football academies in Kenya.
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In this article
List of football clubs In Kenya
When it comes to football clubs of the Kenya Premier League, here they are:
- Mathare United: nickname “Home of Slum Boys”, founded in 1994, based in Nairobi, head coach – Francis Kimanzi.
- Tusker FC: nickname “The Brewers”, founded in 1969, based in Nairobi, head coach – Robert Matano.
- A. F. C. Leopards: nickname “Ingwe”, founded in 1964, based in Nairobi, head coach – Patrick Aussems.
- Bidco United F.C.: based in Thika, head coach – Anthony Akulia.
- Gor Mahia: founded in 1968, based in Nairobi, head coach – Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto.
- Kenya Commercial Bank: nickname “Sidwedwe”, founded in 1993, based in Nairobi, head coach – Zedekiah Otieno.
- Bandari: nickname “Al Bandar Dockers”, founded in 1985, based in Mombasa, head coach – Casa Mbungo.
- Posta Rangers: nickname “The Mailmen”, founded in 1980, based in Eldoret, head coach – Stanley Okumbi.
- Ulinzi Stars: nickname “KDF Ulinzi”, founded in 1995, based in Nakuru, head coach – Benjamin Nyangweso.
- Kakamega Homeboyz: nickname “Khomeboyz”, founded in 2010, based in Kakamega, head coach – Nicholas Muyoti.
- Kariobangi Sharks: based in Nairobi, head coach – William Muluya.
- Nairobi City Stars: nickname “Simba wa Nairobi”, founded in 2003, based in Nairobi, head coach – Sanjin Alagić.
- Nzoia Sugar: founded in 1982, based in Bungoma, head coach – Benard Mwalala
- Sofapaka: nickname “Batoto ba Mungu”, founded in 2004, based in Nairobi, head coach – Sam Timbe.
- Wazito: founded in 2011, based in Machakos, head coach – Francis Kimanzi
- Western Stima: nickname “KPLC Kenya Power, founded in 1997, based in Kakamega, head coach – Salim Babu.
- Zoo Kericho: nickname “Zoo”, founded in 2009, based in Kericho, head coach – Herman Iswekha.
- Vihiga United F.C.: founded in 2014, based in Kakamega, head coach – Mike Mururi.
The oldest football club in Kenya
As far as the oldest football club is considered in the country it was Maragoli FC. The club was established in 1935 and is based in the capital of Kenya, Nairobi. It was one of the first local teams that consisted of young footballers who played just for fun. However, when it comes to the oldest club that is still playing, it is A. F. C. Leopards as it was established 58 years ago in 1964. Its previous name was the Abaluhya Football club until the year 1980 when it gained the present name.
The team is playing at the Nyayo National Stadium. This football club is the holder of 12 titles which makes it the second most successful team in the country after Gor Mahia. AFC is also ten times winner of the Kenya Cup and five times winner of the CECAFA Club Championship. The home ground of the team is Nyayo National Stadium with a maximum seating capacity of fifteen thousand people.
The richest Kenyan football teams
There are several football clubs in Kenya that may be regarded as the richest ones. Here they are:
- Gor Mahia. This football club is the most expensive club in the country as its value is about six hundred thousand dollars. The home stadium of the team is City Stadium in Nairobi city. It is also considered to be the most successful team due to its numerous achievements. Gor Mahia has already obtained 19 titles in Kenyan Premier League. It is also eleven times winner of the FKF President’s Cup and the winner of the 1987 African Cup Winners’ Cup.
- AFC Leopards. This is the second wealthiest football team in Kenya. Its value is about five hundred thousand dollars.
- Sofapaka FC. This club is the third richest football club as its value is about 450 thousand dollars. The team is currently playing at the Wundanyi Stadium. It won the 2007 President’s Cup.
- Tusker. This club also belongs to the richest teams in Kenya as its estimated value is about 400 thousand dollars. Its home ground is Ruaraka Stadium. Tusker is also one of the most successful Kenyan clubs as it owns 12 titles in the Premier League, four Kenyan cups and CECAFA Clubs Cups.
- Wazito FC. Although this football club is rather young, it is considered to be among the richest clubs in Kenya as its owner is Ricardo Badoer who is a businessman. In the last 2020/2021 season of the Premier League, the team took ninth place.
Kenya National Super League
This league comprises twenty either professional or semi-professional Kenyan football clubs. All of them play each other twice during the course of the season. Therefore, there are thirty-eight games overall. The best two teams in the ranking are promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Below there are all clubs presented that belong to the Super League:
- Ligi Ndogo: nickname “The Planets”, founded in 2005, based in Nairobi, chairman – Chris Amimo.
- FC Talanta: founded in 2012, based in Nairobi, head coach – Michael Nam.
- Karuturi Sports: founded in 1994, based in Naivasha, head coach – Michael Nam.
- Nakumatt: founded in 2006, based in Nairobi, chairman – Francis MUREI THI
- Oserian: based in Naivasha, head coach – Sammy Omollo.
- Shabana: nickname “Crashers” founded in 1982, based in Kisii, chairman – Jared Ombongi.
- West Kenya Sugar: founded in 2007, based in Kakamega, head coach – Nelson Simwa.
- Kariobangi Sharks: based in Nairobi, head coach – William Muluya.
- Mahakama: founded in 2000, based in Nairobi.
- Nairobi Stima: based in Nairobi, head coach – Evans Mafuta.
- Agrochemical: founded in 1989, based in Muhoroni, head coach – James Omondi.
- Busia United Stars: founded in 1997, based in Busia, owner – Victor Wanyama.
- Finlays Horticulture: founded in 2011, based in Naivasha.
- G.F.C. 105: founded in 2003, based in Eldoret, chairman – Bishop Ben Bahati.
- Nzoia United: founded in 1982, based in Bungoma, head coach – Benard Mwalala.
- St. Joseph: founded in 2006, based in Nakuru, chairman – David Gikaria.
- Rift Valley United: based in Eldoret.
- Modern Coast Rangers: based in Mombasa.
- MOYAS: based in Nairobi.
- Administration Police: based in Nairobi.
Other domestic football competitions in Kenya
There are also other famed domestic tournaments that gather a considerable number of football fans in Kenya. This is the FKF Cup that was established in 1956 and is a Kenyan version of the FA Cup. The most successful club in this competition is Gor Mahia which won eight titles. Another tournament is the Super Cup which was founded in 2009 and is a version of the English FA Community Shield. The most victorious club is also Gor Mahia. Top 8 Cup is one more football competition in Kenya that was founded in 2011. Eight teams take part in this tournament. The champions of this event are Tusker and Gor Mahia as they have won two titles each. President’s Cup is a domestic championship that was founded in 1956. The most successful team in this competition is again Gor Mahia which holds eight titles.
Top football academies in Kenya
Most victorious football players in Kenya were studying in the best academies in the country. Below you will discover a list of top football academies there:
- Sadili Oval Sports academy located in Nairobi;
- Bumblebee Sports located in Nairobi;
- Uprising Youth Football Academy located in Kakamega;
- Makadara Juniors Academy located in Nairobi;
- Hearts of Ruiru Sports Center located in Ruiru;
- Wadi Degla Academy located in Nairobi;
- Nairobi Sunshine Soccer Academy;
- Nakuru West Youth Soccer Association;
- Elite soccer Academy;
- FISA Academy.
