(Blog) The Kenyan Professional Football League and the Chronicles of the Fired Up Game

What is a professional football league in Kenya?

The Kenyan professional football league "Kenya Premier League (KPL)" attracts a lot of attention. Eighteen of Kenya's top men's football clubs compete in the tournament, providing an opportunity for talented players from both home and abroad.

KPL is home to many of Kenya's most prestigious clubs, including Gor Mahia, one of the country's most popular clubs, who won the 2023-2024 season.

On the other hand, teams in regional leagues and lower leagues are also growing, and it is the platform where the next generation of star players are born. Githurai Allstars, which I got to watch play this time, is one of such emerging teams and they played with much passion.

Gor Mahia players pose for a team photo before the match.

Players line up before kickoff at a Gor Mahia match.

Sunday, March 9 Gor Mahia vs. Githurai Allstars Game

Dandora Stadium in Nairobi, which can accommodate up to 4000 spectators, was filled with football fans and the atmosphere was heated even before the match. The first thing that surprised us was the way tickets were sold. Surprisingly, there is a ticket salesperson inside a car who instructs for money to be sent to the number displayed on the car using an electronic mobile money platform called M-PESA, and when you show proof of the money transfer, the ticket salesperson in the car gives you the ticket. This is the official ticket office!

A car with a sign selling match tickets outside the stadium.

I bought a ticket here and when I moved into the stadium, I saw Gor Mahia supporters wearing green uniforms, the team's color, talking over beer and juice, and blaring vuvuzelas. This great sense of balance from the vendors, who have tons of drinks on their heads, also adds to the excitement of the game.

A vendor carries drinks on her head during a match.

Excited fans cheering from the stands during the match.

Fans fill the stands during a Kenya Premier League match.

When the match started, Gor Mahia showed off their skills and dominated the ball from the beginning. Gor Mahia eventually won the game 5-0 with overwhelming passing and speed that broke through the Githurai Allstars defence. I was able to find some players who could play well in Japan's J-League.

Watch the match highlights on YouTube by clicking here.

Gor Mahia team bus parked near the stadium with fans around.

Kenyan Footballer Michael Olunga's Performance in Japan

One of the leading players in Kenyan football is Michael Olunga. He has an excellent scoring ability as a striker and is also active in the Kenya national team. He also played for Gor Mahia in 2015.

Olunga played for the J-League's Kashiwa Reysol from 2018 to 2021 and enjoyed great success, especially in the 2020 season. He scored 28 goals that season, becoming the J1 League's top scorer and the league's MVP, making a strong impression on Japanese soccer fans. Olunga now plays for Qatar's Al-Duhail SC and is Kenya's highest-paid soccer player.

His success has given Kenya's young players great hope, and it is anticipated that more stars will follow in his footsteps in the future.

Kusaba Yuto, the first Japanese player in the Kenya Professional Football League

Japanese players are also competing in the Kenyan soccer league. The pioneer was Yuto Kusaba, the first Japanese player in the Kenya Professional Football League.

After joining FC ZENSHIN in Kenya's Division 4 league in April 2023, Kusaba recorded 8 goals in 10 games before moving to Nairobi City Stars, one of the top clubs in the KPL, in August 2023. He also scored a lot of goals for the Nairobi City Stars.

His endeavor has become a bridge between the Japanese and Kenyan football worlds, and has also inspired Kenyan football to take a more international perspective. We are looking forward to more and more success in the future.

Watch Kusaba's highlights from Kenya on YouTube by clicking here.

The Charm and Future of Kenyan Football

Kenya's professional football league is not yet as well-known as the top leagues in Europe, but its appeal lies in its loyal fans and growing club teams. Especially with the rise of young players and the expected improvement of the league level, they will attract more attention in the future.

Through this match, I felt the energy and potential of Kenyan football. The league will continue to grow as it brings together people who love football and are passionate about it. In the future, might the magnitude be as shown in the image below!? I have nothing but high hopes.