2022-2023 Kenya Premier League
Gor Mahia were the surprise winners of the 2022-2023 Kenya Premier League. Not much had been expected from Gor Mahia. In 2021, they had finished 8th in the standings while in 2022, they were third in the standings, 8 points behind Tusker who topped the charts. Their squad was not impressive and included mostly players who were relatively unknown.
Also, Gor Mahia were banned by FIFA from signing new players until they payed former players and coaches money that they were owed. As a result, Gor Mahia relied on players promoted from their youth team like Kennedy Ochuoga and Alpha Onyango.
Benson Omalla was the key performer for Gor Mahia, scoring nearly half the team’s goals. Midfielder Austin Odhiambo had a relatively quiet first leg but came into form during the second leg. Goalkeeper Gad Mathews was also a key performer and the main reason Gor Mahia only conceded 22 goals along with solid defenders Dennis Ng’anga Njire and captain Philemon Otieno . Other key players for the team included veteran George Odhiambo, John Macharia, Boniface Omondi, John Ochieng, Sydney Ochieng Lloyd Khavuchi, and Ugandan Peter Lwasa.
Mathare United were relegated after 24 consecutive seasons in the top flight. It was a steep fall for a team that had won the domestic cup three times and which won the league in 2008. Team owner Bob Munro had been at the forefront of reforms that created the Kenya Premier League.
Top Scorers
Elvis Rupia of Kenya Police topped the scoring charts. Benson Omala scored 25 goals, which was almost half the tally of his team.
| Player | Team | Goals |
| Elvis Rupia | Kenya Police | 27 |
| Benson Omala | Gor Mahia | 25 |
| Hassan Abdallah | Bandari | 12 |
| Umar Kasumba | Bandari | |
| John Mwangi | Nzoia Sugar | 11 |
| Hillary Simiyu | Ulinzi Stars | 10 |
| Tyson Otieno | Kariobangi Sharks |
9 |
| Kennedy Owino | KCB | |
| Raddy Manga | Sofapaka | 8 |
| Austine Odhiambo | Gor Mahia | |
Kenya banned
Kenya was banned by FIFA in March of 2022. This after Sports Minister Amina Mohammed disbanded the FKF and appointed a caretaker committee led by retired judge Aaron Ringera. As a result, Kenya was removed from the qualifiers of the 2023 Africa cup of nations. Drama ensued in June of 2022; Kenya was due to host Uganda in the penultimate qualifier for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations for Women. The Caretaker committee was making preparations to host the match. FKF CEO Barry Otieno wrote to CAF stating that the FKF were not in a position to host the match. As a result, Kenya was disqualified. Uganda went to the AWCON at the expense of Kenya and Barry Otieno became the most hated person in Kenya sports in 2022. In November 2022, FIFA finally lifted the ban. By then it was too late to participate in the 2023 AFCON qualifiers. The caretaker committee led by Ringera were derided as having not accomplished anything. Kenyan had expected them to initiate much needed reforms.
