NAIROBI, KENYA – The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League has announced the introduction of monthly cash awards for outstanding players and coaches, a strategic initiative aimed at increasing competitiveness and rewarding excellence in Kenya's top-flight football. The move, effective from the ongoing 2025/2026 season, will see the Player of the Month receive KSh 50,000, while the top-performing coach will be awarded KSh 75,000.

This development is a key component of the landmark 10-year, KSh 1.12 billion sponsorship deal between the FKF and gaming firm SportPesa, which was confirmed on Thursday, July 31, 2025. The partnership, which rebranded the league to the 'SportPesa League', is designed to inject much-needed financial stability and professional structure into local football.

A New Era of Motivation

According to a statement released on Thursday, November 13, 2025, the monthly awards are designed to create a culture of consistent high performance. "We are determined to make the SportPesa League highly competitive. Every player must feel they are striving for something meaningful," stated SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri during the season launch in September. The awards will be decided through a combination of data-driven analysis and a fan voting component, allowing supporters to have a direct say in celebrating the league's top performers.

FKF President Hussein Mohammed hailed the initiative as a critical step in rebuilding the league's value. "This partnership aims to restore the league's credibility, enhance player welfare, and boost fan confidence," Mohammed said. The introduction of individual financial incentives is widely seen as a powerful tool to motivate players and coaching staff, whose efforts often go unrecognized beyond team results.

Historical Context and Previous Awards

Monthly awards are not entirely new to Kenyan football, but their implementation has been inconsistent. The KPL Footballer of the Year Awards (FOYA) were a staple for years, but often focused on end-of-season recognition. In the past, organizations like the Sports Journalists Association of Kenya (SJAK) partnered with sponsors such as LG Electronics to run a 'KPL Footballer of the Month' award, which began in 2015. However, these initiatives have faced interruptions due to sponsorship gaps.

More recently, the FKF itself ran a Player of the Month award during the 2020/21 season, with AFC Leopards striker Elvis Rupia being a notable recipient in February 2021, pocketing KSh 50,000. The lack of a consistent, well-funded award system has been a persistent challenge. This new structure, backed by a long-term title sponsor, promises the stability that was previously missing.

Boosting the Local Game

The re-introduction of these awards is part of a broader financial overhaul of the league. Under the new sponsorship agreement, the league's overall prize money has been significantly increased. The champions of the 2025/26 season are set to receive KSh 15 million, a threefold increase from the previous KSh 5 million. The runners-up and third-placed teams will take home KSh 3 million and KSh 2 million, respectively.

This financial injection is expected to have a cascading effect on the quality of football. Better remuneration and incentives can help retain top talent in Kenya, improve club infrastructure, and make the league more attractive to regional players. Japheth Akhulia, SportPesa's Partnerships and Sponsorships Manager, noted that the awards are also intended to create a stronger foundation for the national team, the Harambee Stars. A more competitive domestic league provides a larger and better-prepared pool of players for international duty.

The first nominees for the October awards have already been announced, with players from Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards featuring prominently, highlighting the immediate impact of the renewed rivalry and competition at the start of the season. As the season progresses, these monthly accolades will serve as a compelling subplot, celebrating the individuals who define Kenya's premier football competition.