2025 RECAP: A look into Kenya Police's history-making year

Since the formation of Kenya Police FC in 2014, the year 2025 will go down in history as the year the club achieved monumental success.

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In 2025, the law enforcers disturbed the status quo. They changed the norm, they shook historical establishments, and announced their presence as the new big boy in town.

After four years in the FKF Premier League, Kenya Police FC secured their maiden league title, upsetting the historical big boys in the process to mark their biggest highlight of the year.

However, the year was not just rosy for the 2024 Mozzart Bet Cup winners, it had ups and downs, successes and failures and most importantly, lessons to learn.

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Mozzart Sport comprehensively covered Police FC in 2025, and takes an in depth look at how their year was.

Police FC began the year with a huge burden in their shoulders. They were a well-resourced team, boasting a stable parent institution - the National Police Service (NPS) and host of sponsorships making them the league’s money bags.

On the other hand, they were chasing success on the field of play with an eye at the title in a league dominated by historically strong clubs.

In the 2024/25 pre-season the targets had been set, to clinch the league title after success in the 2024 Mozzart Bet Cup.

Ndariyagije masterclass

In November 2024, results did not reflect the ambitions and the team parted ways with coach Salim Babu and hired Burundian Etienne Ndariyagije who then led the team into 2025.

The former Taifa Stars head coach’s appointments brought with it good tidings for Police FC. From winning only one of their first eight matches, the team began to post good results and secure important victories.

Ettiene Ndayiragije ©Sportpicha

The team played with a sense of structured identity, made good use of set plays and important substitutions to win matches.

The 47-year-old managed to unite a dressing room that was reportedly dysfunctional and found a good balance of using both experienced and young players to achieve success.

Bajaber acquisition and sale

One of the key success stories of Police’s second half of the 2024/25 season was the signing of Harambee Stars attacking midfielder Mohammed Bajaber.

The youngster joined the law enforcers from Nairobi City Stars in a deal worth Ksh1 million and went on to become a star and produced match winning performances and goals.

Mohammed Bajaber ©Sportpicha

The 22-year-old went ahead to score five league goals for the team as well as three in the Mozzart Bet Cup to capture the attention of Tanzanian giants Simba SC.

Wekundu wa Msimbazi would then secure his signature in July in a deal worth $100,000 (approximately Ksh12.9 million) representing a Ksh11.9 million profit for Police in six months.

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Winning maiden league title

The experience of Ndariyagije, signing of Bajaber as well as the support of the club’s management among other factors combined well to propel Police FC to their maiden FKF Premier League title.

The team showed character to grind results even when they did not necessarily play well and when it mattered, the impressive Brian ‘Stones’ Okoth rose high in the 75th minute to produce a bullet header from a corner that secured a 1-0 over Shabana.

©Sportpicha

The victory on 15 July ended Gor Mahia and Tusker FC’s dominance in over a decade with the team also securing a place in the CAF Champions League.

CAF Champions League debut

Police began their CAF Champions League campaign with a preliminary tie against Mogadishu City club.

With both matches played at Nyayo Stadium in Kenya, Police secured a comfortable 3-1 win in the away leg but were handed a shocking 2-0 defeat to proceed to the final preliminary round on goal difference much to the annoyance of the club's hierarchy and fans.

Police landed a relatively friendly draw in the final round against Sudan’s Al-Hilal Omdurman. The 2024 Mozzart Bet Cup winners bottled up home advantage and suffered a 1-0 loss before being hammered 3-1 in the return leg on 24 October and exited the competition.

The elimination cost Ndariyagije his job as he parted ways with the club on 29 October.

Dusan Stojanovic ©Gad Isaac

New coach arrives

Serbian tactician Dusan Stojanovic was appointed on 3 November to replace Ndariyagije and has gone ahead to win half of the 10 league matches that he has been in charge, drawn two and tasted defeat three times.

The team is currently fifth in the league standings with 22 points, two shy of league leaders AFC Leopards.

Stojanovic has been tasked to guide the team to retain the league title but must first start with ensuring they end their three-match winless streak.

In conclusion, 2025 was a transformational year for Kenya Police where they not only achieved success but laid a firm foundation for future ambitions.

Club Chairman, Senior Assistant Inspector General (SAIG) of Police, Munga Nyale will be keen to guide the club to secure the gains of 2025 and achieve even greater success in 2026.