The cancellation of the free-to-air deal between the Football Kenya Federation and the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC) was undoubtedly one of the major milestones witnessed in the country’s top-tier league in 2024.The deal was sealed in November 2023 with top-tier clubs enjoying the visibility and financial benefits in the second leg of the 2023-2024 season.The deal saw KBC televise select league matches with the company’s 13 radio stations also securing rights to do live commentary.The contract was certainly a game changer but unfortunately, it did not last long enough despite both parties agreeing and penning a seven-year-long deal.Clubs, fans, and everyone, who associates with the good game, was looking forward to watching more league matches on KBC before the start of the season.##NAJAVA_MECA_8605338##However, that did not happen following the change of leadership at the Ministry of Sports as immediate Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who replaced Ababu Namwamba in July, reportedly canceled the deal alongside the Talanta Hela projects.Consequently, the league has had to rely on Tanzanian pay television Azam as the sole broadcast partner and the major source of income for the 18 clubs.Besides the termination of the deal, a lot happened in the year as far as the top flight is concerned.Another year, another league title for Gor Mahia2024 saw Gor Mahia retain the league title and stretch their tally to 21 crowns.The club lost a paltry seven league matches in the year illustrating how dominant they were especially under coach Johnathan McKinstry.Victory saw the club return to the CAF Champions League, a stage they were locked out from in 2023 for failing to meet Club Licensing requirements.Gor Mahia dominate end of season awardsK’Ogalo were also dominant off-the-pitch as they scooped all the awards in the end-of-season gala.Kalekwa warns clubs that luring rising star from Sofapaka will be costlyMidfielder Austin Odhiambo was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) with Benson Omala clinching the ‘Golden Boot’. Johnathan McKinstry was named the best coach.One thing that has remained a mystery is how much the winners got and why the organisers did not have more categories.Return of Mathare UnitedIt was a special year for the 2008 league champions as they returned to the top tier after a season in the National Super League.The Slum Boys were promoted after finishing second in the NSL behind Mara Sugar, who are gracing the top league for the first time.The two teams swapped places with Nzoia Sugar and Muhoroni Youth who suffered relegation.Effects of closure of Nyayo and Kasarani 2024 was a year that saw clubs struggle to find venues for home matches following the unavailability of Nyayo and Kasarani facilities.Nairobi-based clubs had to largely rely on Dandora and Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos to host matches. It also led to a decline in revenue for clubs and led to increased early kick-offs offs even in difficult weather conditions.The situation was made worse by the closure of the Kasarani Annex, Police Sacco Grounds, and the Ulinzi Sports Complex.This left the league body with no option other than to postpone the first leg of the Mashemeji Derby after AFC Leopards failed to find a venue that could host a high-risk game.Return of matches at Gusii welcomeWhile several clubs in Nairobi struggled to host matches, Shabana had a happy ending in the year following the return to Gusii Stadium.The facility had not hosted league matches for years and when it opened its gates, Shabana made and continues to make the best of it.The Glamour Boys have been collecting decent money from the sale of tickets during home matches given the good attendance witnessed in their matches.It is not by luck that most of their home matches have been on live broadcast.Emergence of youngstersAFC Leopards youngster Kelly Madada headlines the list and number of youngsters, who impressed in their first months in the competition.Signed in February, Madada had to be patient for the better part of the year but when the chance presented itself, he grabbed it with both hands. He is arguably the most popular player at Leopards at the moment thanks to his strong performances in the closing stages of the year.Sporting highlights Kenyans can look forward to in 2025Nairobi City Stars left-back Rodgers Obusu has also had an incredible year as he defied his inexperience to establish himself as a starter, months after joining from Laiser Hill Academy.Bandari turned to their youth team in January and promoted the duo of William Gitamu and Izzadin Ramadhan, who have been nothing but impressive in the few minutes they got at the top level in the year.It would be unfair not to mention Mark Shaban, who is arguably the youngest league winner. At the age of 17, he helped Gor Mahia retain the league title.Just how deeply-rooted is match-fixing?The integrity wing of the FKF was busy in the year suspending suspected match-fixers. What raised eyebrows was the move to suspend FIFA-accredited referee Meshack Omondi over his alleged involvement in pre-determining the outcome of matches.Remembering the sports personalities Kenya lost in 2024Omondi was suspended alongside fellow referees; Stephen Adeya and Jackline Barongo in May.FKF also suspended FC Talanta goalkeeper Kevin Olang’o and Kibera United team manager Abdulkarim Amele on similar grounds.Later in the year, Posta Rangers and Talanta reportedly suspended their goalkeepers for alleged involvement in the vice.Having players, referees, and officials implicated in match manipulation was certainly damaging to the integrity of the competition and left many wondering how deep the vice runs in local leagues.
