Erick Kapaito has been named as the 2018 Kenya Premier League (KPL) player of the year during the KPL awards gala held today at Kenya School of Government.
The Kariobangi Sharks striker netted 16 goals to guide his team win the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Shield Cup for the first time and will represent Kenya at the Confederation Cup next year as he walked away with kshs one million.
Cliff Nyakeya who made his way into the Mathare United from the Gor Mahia youth ranks was emotional as he picked his award as the midfielder of the year with a Kshs 300,000m cash.
Felly Mulumba who has had a brilliant season skippering Bandari to second place in the Kenyan League was the defender of the year beating the Gor Mahia duo of Harun Shakava and Joash Onyango.
Faruk Shikhalo showed that ditching Posta Rangers for Bandari at the beginning of the season was the best decision as he scooped the keeper of the year award, beating Harambee Stars keeper Patrick Matasi who was second.
Dylan Kerr was meanwhile awarded coach of the year for his outstanding run with the club, winning the title with six matches to go and losing only four games the whole season.
Kerr received the award in absentia as he is already at his home in the United Kingdom. Ulinzi’s Dunstan Nyaudo whose side finished fourth was second while Sofapaka’s John Baraza was third.
KPL safety and Security boss GMT Otieno meanwhile received the chairman’s award.
Full list of winners
Most Valuable Player
Erick Kapaito
Coach of the year
1.Dylan Kerr (Gor Mahia)
2.Dunstan Nyaudo (Ulinzi Stars)
3.John Baraza (Sofapaka)
Goalkeeper of the year
- Faruk Shikhalo (Bandari FC)
2.Patrick Matasi (Tusker FC)
3.Kevin Omondi (Sony Sugar)
Defender of the year
1.Felly Mulumba (Bandari)
2.Titus Achesa (Posta Rangers)
3.Oliver Rutto (Ulinzi Stars)
Midfielder of the year
1.Cliff Nyakeya (Mathare
2.Elvis Nandwa (Ulinzi Stars)
3.Mike Madoya
New player of the year
1.Eric Kapaito (Kariobangi Sharks)
2.Marvin Nabwire (AFC Leopards)
3.Piston Mutamba (Sofapaka FC)
Most improved assistant referee
1.Gilbert Cheruiyot
2.MaryAnne Njoroge
3.Oliver Odhiambo
Most improved centre referee
1.Davies Omweno
2.Raymond Onyango
3.Badir Yasin
Team Manager of the year
1.Vincent Okello (Mathare United)
2.Christopher Ouma (Ulinzi Stars)
3.Lazarus Yogo (Zoo Kericho)
Fair play club of the year
1.Gor Mahia
2.Sofapaka
3.Kariobangi Sharks
Fair play player of the year
1.Mike Madoya
2.Eric Kapaito
3.Felly Mulumba