The 1-0 loss to Nairobi United on the final day of the 2025/26 Football Kenya Federation Premier League at the Nyayo National Stadium did not bother Gor Mahia, who had stepped on the pitch to a guard of honour from their opponents.
Enock Machaka, the jersey-tucking Naibois midfielder, rose highest to head Nairobi United’s winner in the 26th minute but it was Gor Mahia who left the pitch having touched sky as they wer crowned Kenyan league champions for a record-extending 22nd time.
Still, Gor Mahia coach, the Ghanaian Charles Akonnor, showed every desire to win the match, fielding a strong line-up while giving starts to second-choice goalkeeper Gad Matthews and Ebenezer Kofi Assifuah-Inkoom, who has cultivated a reputation of being a super substitute.
Brian Mzee (right) of Nairobi United tackles Gor Mahia captain Alpha Onyango during their Football Kenya Federation Premier League match at Nyayo National Stadium on May 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The league’s sponsors, SportPesa, put up quite a show for Gor Mahia’s coronation.
A red carpet was rolled out. A majestic podium was quickly set up. A bevy of beauties held medals handed out by Attorney General Dorcas Oduor, FKF president Hussein Mohammed, SportPesa CEO Ronald Karauri, Azam Kenya Country Manager Ravi Kumar, Gor Mahia’s long-serving chairman Ambrose Rachier, Gor Mahia’s patron Eliud Owalo, Raila Odinga Junior, and other dignitaries.
Gor Mahia also showed they had been planning for the day as players received their medals wearing t-shirts commemorating their success.
The flag of Ghana, draped on the shoulders of Ebenezer Adu-Kwaw and wrapped around the waist of Enock Morrison, made an appearance too, signalling that Gor Mahia’s triumph will echo all the way to Accra escorted by shimmers of confetti that showered over Gor Mahia players as the trophy was lifted.
Gor Mahia players would have been forgiven for being lackadaisical in their warm-ups, which they started by honouring Ernest Wendo and Philemon Otieno -- the club’s long-serving players -- with a guard of honour.
Wendo, who spent 11 seasons at Gor, bid the club farewell as an eight-time league champion, undoubtedly Kenya’s most decorated footballer.
Otieno, after nine years at the club, transitions to his new role as the club’s team manager with seven league titles. Wendo and Otieno were gifted mounted photos of themselves in action for the club.
Jerim Onyango, the former Gor Mahia captain and goalkeeper, carried this season’s league trophy to the pitch and presented it to the fans with the green ribbons attached to it flailing in the calm Nairobi breeze.
Michael Olunga, a member of Gor Mahia’s invincibles 2015 squad, together with Onyango and Wendo, also lifted the trophy to wild cheers from the fans.
Gor Mahia coach Charles Akonnor celebrates with the Football Kenya Federation Premier League trophy at Nyayo National Stadium on May 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The terraces and VIP stand of the Nyayo National Stadium became an exhibition of Kenya’s diverse urban culture, whose proponents radiated a kaleidoscope of Gor Mahia’s colours -- green, white, blue, and black.
The song and dance never stopped as a cacophonic chorus of jubilant chanting, drumbeats, jingles, shakers, and vuvuzelas colonised the air.
At key moments of the occasion, when the cacophony hit its crescendo, those savouring the scenes for the first time took out their phone to record digital keepsakes of individuals entranced by juogi, ancestral spirits.
The tifo-unfurling Gor Mahia barra bravas, the Green Ultras, added more colour and sound to the day.
A tifo of the club’s former patron, the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga, followed the proceedings with Baba portrayed in executive elan.
Another tifo, featuring the club’s 1987 Mandela Cup-winning captain Austin Oduor, George Odhiambo, and Jacques Tuyisenge, was unrolled at kick-off to an emission of smoke bombs, blasting of a sound gun, and freeing of green and white balloons.
After Gor Mahia lifted the trophy, the Green Ultras thrilled the crowd with a fireworks show.
Gor Mahia players and officials celebrate with the Football Kenya Federation Premier League trophy at Nyayo National Stadium on May 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Joseph Sudi, the self-proclaimed Gor Mahia bishop, looked resplendent in his brand new white cassock but the occasion was déjà vu for his battered old mitre.
Jaro Soja, the self-proclaimed Gor Mahia number one fan, strutted in an all-green suit.
Lewiso, one of the aspiring content creators with Gor Mahia Fan TV, roamed the VIP stands sipping an energy drink.
Tom Bwana, the stadium announcer, patrolled the pitchside holding a microphone, ever-prepared to have his voice booming the stadium’s speakers with messages to the fans.
When the match neared its end, Bwana urged fans not to invade the pitch as a battalion of GSU officers and stewards lined the inner perimeter ready to secure the turf as soon as the match ended.
