Thursday night in Nairobi witnessed the dazzling celebration of Kenya’s athletic prowess at the 2025 SOYA Awards. Hosted at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), this 21st edition of the Sports Personality of the Year Awards was more than a mere ceremony—it was an emotional tribute to resilience, ambition, and indomitable national spirit. This year’s theme, “Celebrating Women’s Excellence in Sports,” set the stage for a night dedicated to recognizing both outstanding achievements and the human stories behind them.
The spirit behind the 2025 SOYA Awards
It takes more than numbers, medals, and statistics to understand the impact of the SOYA Awards. Shaped by a sporting year that sparkled with historic milestones—the Paris Olympic Games, the Paralympics, and the unprecedented FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup qualification—this edition carried with it a sense of deep pride and collective victory. As SOYA panel chairman Chris Mbaisi shared, the selection process was more challenging than ever, reflecting Kenya’s astonishing breadth of talent and ambition. This was a celebration of the present, a nod to the past, and a beacon for the future of Kenyan sports.
Beatrice Chebet and Emmanuel Wanyonyi light up the stage
The headline story of the night needed little embellishment: Beatrice Chebet and Emmanuel Wanyonyi were feted as Sportswoman and Sportsman of the Year, recognition for heroics that went beyond mere statistics. Chebet, making her Olympic debut, delivered an unforgettable double-gold performance in the 5,000 and 10,000 meters in Paris—a feat that will echo through the annals of Kenyan athletics history. Her triumph was not only about her own success but also about the women who paved paths before her and the girls now daring to dream.
Wanyonyi’s story is one of consistency, strength, and the steady hand of a champion. Taking gold in the men’s 800 meters at the Paris Olympics, he carried the torch of a proud Kenyan tradition in middle-distance running. His presence on the track, both fearless and approachable, makes him a figure young athletes aspire to emulate. To be named the Sportsman of the Year, edging out elite competition like Benson Kipruto, Ronald Kwemoi, Albert Odero, and Boniface Mugunde, speaks volumes of his remarkable season and the trust the nation places in him.
Celebrating women’s rising influence in Kenyan sport
Never was the event’s theme more poignant than in its championing of women. Chebet’s closest rivals—icons like Faith Kipyegon, Hellen Obiri, Ruth Chepng’etich, and Faith Cherotich—have redefined excellence year after year. Kipyegon, for instance, secured her third Olympic 1,500m title and set a new world record. Obiri triumphed at the Boston Marathon, and Chepng’etich retains her status as the marathon world record holder. Each competitor’s journey is a testament to the depth and diversity of Kenyan women in sport.
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History makers and unsung heroes
Special recognition belonged to the unyielding spirit of the Junior Starlets—Kenya’s U-17 women’s football team—whose story is one of breaking the glass ceiling. Their qualification for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup was a first in Kenyan football. They were rightly named Women’s Team of the Year, and their inspiring coach, Mildred Cheche, took home the Coach of the Year accolade. Cheche’s tactical acumen and ability to galvanize her players make her an inspiration not only to her squad but to coaches across the continent.
Kenya’s richness in sporting achievement was no less evident in the men’s team category, as Nairobi City Thunder were named Team of the Year for their historic run to the Basketball Africa League. Their breakthrough signals a renaissance in Kenyan basketball, breathing new life into the sport’s prospects locally and across Africa.
Shining a light on ability and resilience
The awards also honored the relentless will of para-athletes. Samson Ojuka, the first Kenyan to win a Paralympic medal in the long jump (silver), was celebrated as Sportsman With Disability. Michelle Chepng’etich, who excelled in para-athletics and discus, was named Sportswoman With Disability. Their victories aren’t just about medals, but about breaking barriers and redefining what’s possible for athletes facing adversity.
Honoring legacy and grassroots achievements
No celebration would be complete without honoring the roots of Kenyan sport. All Saints Embu rugby team enjoyed a fairytale year, clinching both regional and national titles and winning the Boys’ School of the Year award, while their coach, Benson Mwenda, was named School Coach of the Year. Kesogon Girls Secondary School’s volleyball team also left their mark, taking the Girls’ Team of the Year prize.
In a gesture that ties the past and present, the Hall of Fame induction of John Bobby Ogolla—a Gor Mahia legend and Kenyan football stalwart—was met with heartfelt applause. His career, both as a player and coach, is woven into Kenya’s football heritage.
Driving change beyond the track and field
Amidst the festivities, SOYA’s founder Paul Tergat reaffirmed commitment not only to honoring champions but supporting them with innovative initiatives. Training athletes in finance management and mental wellness marks a shift—acknowledging that success is as much about fortitude off the track as brilliance on it. Safaricom’s steadfast sponsorship, pledging Sh1 million for the event, underlined the crucial collaboration between corporate Kenya and sporting dreams.
A night of inspiration and a legacy for tomorrow
As the final curtain closed, the 2025 SOYA Awards left the audience with more than memories of medal counts. From Chebet’s steely grit and Wanyonyi’s composed dominance, to the Junior Starlets’ promise and Cheche’s innovative coaching, every winner’s story offers a deeply human message. This was a night that honored not just physical achievement, but character, courage, and the power of sport to unite and uplift a nation. Kenya’s legacy in sport continues, driven by icons whose stories will embolden the next generation—reminding us all that excellence is not only won but lived.
