Kenya Police to begin 2025/26 FKF Premier League title defence against Mara Sugar

Dennis Mabuka

Kenya Police will be looking to defend their titleFKF Media

Kenya Police FC will begin their Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League title defence with a home fixture against Mara Sugar on September 21st, according to the fixtures released by federation.

According to the matchday one fixtures, two matches will be played on Saturday, September 20th, seven matches will be staged on Sunday, September 21st, and one match on Monday, September 22nd, spread across the country.

The law enforcers, who won their first-ever Premier League crown last season after topping the league table with 65 points, six more than second-placed and record champions Gor Mahia, will face Bidco United in their matchday two fixture against Bidco United on September 28th.

In the opening week, Tusker FC, who finished fourth in the last campaign, will take on KCB, while AFC Leopards, who finished sixth with 51 points, will begin their quest for the league trophy against Sofapaka.

Ingwe, under new chairman Boniface Amban, has vowed to end their 25-year trophy drought this season.

“We want to build a very strong team for the new season to compete for trophies. AFC Leopards is a giant, and we should be winning, and in my tenure, this is something I want to ensure becomes a norm,” said Ambani when he took over office in July.

“My priority in the office is the playing unit. We have to build a very strong and competitive AFC Leopards side for the new season. We have to do an audit of the playing unit to know who is leaving and who is remaining, and also who the players are that we target for the new season.”

With 12 top-flight league titles to their name, AFC Leopards is Kenya’s third most successful club behind Tusker FC (13 titles) and Gor Mahia (21 titles).

Gor Mahia to start campaign against Bidco United

On matchday two, Gor Mahia, who are the record champions with 21 titles, will begin their quest to wrestle the crown from Police against Bidco United. Gor Mahia have already refurbished their technical bench with the arrival of Ghana’s Charles Akonnor as their new head coach on August 1st, for the 2025-26 season, bringing in his Ghanaian backroom staff as well.

The appointment followed a trophyless 2024/25 season and aimed to restore the club’s former glory by leveraging Akonnor’s experience and continental pedigree.

“I have set my goals for the club and l will be working with all stakeholders to have the success needed. We need to set up a solid team that can achieve the best and we will work together towards a common goal to achieve what we want as a club,” said the former Ghana Black Stars coach after taking charge.

In other matches, Kariobangi Sharks will entertain Bandari, Shabana will host promoted side APS Bomet, who will be under the watchful eyes of former Gor Mahia assistant coach Michael Nam. Kakamega Homeboyz will entertain promoted side Nairobi United and will hope to parade their new signings.

Among the new signings at Homeboyz are former Gor Mahia striker Gedeon Bendeka, goalkeeper Edwin Mukolwe from Nairobi City Stars, Brian Odhiambo – Kariobangi Sharks, Eugene Ochieng – Kibera Black Stars, Rogers Ouma – Gor Mahia, Joshua Nyatini – KCB, Derrick Otanga – KCB, Samuel Odaro – Mara Sugar, and Rodgers Musonye – Kakamega High School.

The arrival of Bendeka came after the club had lost key striker Moses Shumah to Zambia Super League champions Power Dynamos before the TotalEnergies African Nations Championship (CHAN) kicked off in East Africa.