Kenya Police parted ways with their head coach Nicholas Muyoti and his assistant John Baraza on Wednesday, barely two rounds of matches into the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season.
Police said in a statement the decision was made to allow the duo to concentrate on their CAF A License coaching course.
Police drew 1-1 with debutants Migori Youth in their season opener before losing 2-1 to 12-time champions AFC Leopards on Tuesday.
Going by the trend over the past five seasons, Police’s decision could be an early sign of what lies ahead for coaches in Kenya's top-flight league as the pressure to deliver begins to mount.
The 2024/25 campaign was the most treacherous for coaches in the league, with 17 head coach changes occurring.
It was followed by 16 last season, 14 in 2023/24, 12 in 2021/22 and 10 in 2022/23.
That Police became the first side to part ways with their coach this season came as a little surprise. In recent years, the Police coaching job has become the hottest seat in the league.
Since their promotion to the Premier League in September 2021, the law enforcers have been handled by a whopping 10 coaches; that is an average of a coach every six months, or two coaches per season.
Before Muyoti, there was Serbian Dusan Stojanovic and before him, Burundian Etienne Ndayiragije. Salim Babu, Anthony "Modo" Kimani, Beldine Odemba, Francis Baraza, Sammy ‘Pamzo’ Omollo, John “Bobby” Ogolla and Croat Zdravko Logarušić have come and gone at Police's revolving door.
Former Harambee Starlets coach Beldine Odemba reacts on the touchline during a past match
Photo credit: Sila Kiplagat | Nation Media Group
Ndayiragije, 47, was the most successful at Police Sacco Stadium, guiding Police to their maiden league title in 2025. He was shown the door in October 2025 following a second preliminary round exit from the CAF Champions League.
Salim Babu gestures during a past league match.
Photo credit: File | Nation Media Group
Serving as interim coach following the dismissal of Babu and Kimani, Odemba was in charge of just two league matches: 0-0 and 1-1 draws against Kariobangi Sharks and KCB. She made history as the second woman to handle a team in the Premiership, after Jackline Juma, who was in charge of Talanta.
Last season, 12 of the 18 clubs made coaching changes, with Police, Bandari, Ulinzi Stars and Murang’a Seal recording the highest number of turnovers, at two each.
Former Kenya Police FC coach Dusan Stojanovic reacts during the match against Gor Mahia in the SportPesa League at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on November 9, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
After parting ways with Ndayiragije, Police appointed Stojanovic as the team’s new coach. However, the Serbian was dismissed just two months later due to poor performance and was replaced by Muyoti.
Having secured just one win in their opening five league matches, four-time champions Ulinzi dismissed Dunstan Nyaudo, with former international Stephen Ochola taking his place on an interim basis.
But with no reprieve in performance after being in charge for two months and the club staring at relegation, Ochola was relieved of his duties, paving the way for another former international, Mulinge Ndeto, to take over the role in an acting capacity.
Ndeto, who also played for Ulinzi, eventually ensured their safety in the top flight, finishing 13th with 41 points.
Meanwhile, Muranga Seal parted ways with Don Otieno and former national team player Osborne Monday, leaving Dennis Odhiambo to take charge in an acting capacity for the remainder of the season.
In the tumultuous -- for coaches -- 2024/25, the Gor Mahia job was the most unsafe, with three changes.
Former Gor Mahia coach Leonard Neiva speaks to the media at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 14, 2024.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
After firing Brazilian Leonardo Neiva after just six league matches due to poor performance, Gor appointed former player Zedekiah "Zico" Otieno on an interim basis before eventually settling on 49-year-old Croatian Sinisa Mihic on a six-month contract.
However, the Uefa Pro Licence holder lasted only three months before quitting, citing a toxic working environment, poor infrastructure, and lack of professionalism in Kenyan football. Otieno, who is Gor’s former player, again took charge of the club on a stand-in basis.
In 2023/24, Police, Nzoia Sugar and Shabana were the most unsafe places for coaches, with two changes each, while in the 2022/23 season, Vihiga United held the dubious distinction with two changes.
The Kariobangi Sharks job has been the safest. William Miluya was their head coach from the year they were promoted in 2017 to 2026, when they were relegated.
In April, Sharks chairman Robert Maoga told Nation Sport that the decision to retain Muluya over this long period was rooted in a philosophy that emphasised player development and long-term stability through talent sales.
