Rich list: Top 5 Kenyan football clubs making the most money
By Joel Masibo, September 5, 2026Kenyan football has entered a new financial era, with top-flight clubs benefiting from a growing pool of sponsorship, broadcast and commercial revenue.
The FKF Premier League’s financial foundation has been strengthened by a 10-year, Ksh1.12 billion title sponsorship agreement with SportPesa and a seven-year, Ksh1.17 billion broadcast partnership with Azam Media.
Together, the deals provide clubs with a guaranteed source of income even before gate collections, shirt sponsorships and other commercial ventures are taken into account.
Under the SportPesa arrangement, 60 per cent of the title sponsorship revenue is allocated to the participating clubs, while the Football Kenya Federation retains the remaining 40 per cent for league administration, match officials and promotion.
The initial Ksh85 million sponsorship pool therefore sends Ksh51 million to the 18 clubs, giving each team approximately Ksh2.8 million annually.
The allocation is expected to increase as the value of the sponsorship rises through the 10-year agreement.
Azam Media’s broadcast deal provides another important revenue stream, with clubs receiving a guaranteed Ksh1 million monthly broadcast grant.
This means every FKF Premier League side has a baseline income of roughly Ksh12.8 million to Ksh14.8 million annually from the two central deals before additional sponsorship, ticketing, merchandise and prize money are considered.
However, when all major income streams are taken into account, some clubs have a significant financial advantage over their rivals.
Here are the five Kenyan clubs that stand out on the rich list:
1. Gor Mahia
Gor Mahia sit at the top of Kenya’s football financial hierarchy, helped by their enormous support base, commercial appeal and success both domestically and on the continental stage.
K’Ogalo have traditionally attracted major corporate partners because of their status as one of the country’s biggest sporting brands.
Their commercial portfolio has included a Ksh30 million, three-year agreement with Kansai Plascon, while electric mobility company Spiro has also entered into a partnership reportedly worth Ksh7.5 million annually.
The club’s huge following provides another lucrative income stream.
Gor Mahia command some of the biggest crowds in Kenyan football, particularly during major league fixtures and high-profile derbies, with annual gate receipts estimated at between Ksh25 million and Ksh30 million.
Their participation in CAF competitions also gives them access to additional prize money and grants, further widening the gap between them and clubs operating on smaller budgets.
The financial muscle is reflected in their wage structure, with some of their leading players earning as much as Ksh400,000 per month.
2. Kenya Police FC
Kenya Police FC have rapidly established themselves as one of the best-funded teams in the country.
Unlike clubs that depend heavily on supporters at the turnstiles, the law-enforcement side benefits from a strong institutional structure and a collection of corporate partnerships.
Their sponsorship portfolio includes a reported Ksh25 million package from Co-operative Bank, alongside backing from Diamond Trust Bank, Betika, Mwananchi Credit and Kenya National Police DT Sacco.
Although their match-day revenue does not compare with that of the traditional giants, their financial strength is demonstrated through investment in players, salaries and performance incentives.
That combination of institutional backing and commercial sponsorship makes Police one of the most financially powerful teams in the league.
3. Tusker FC
Tusker FC occupy another prominent position on Kenya’s football rich list thanks to their strong connection with East African Breweries Limited and the Tusker brand.
Unlike community-owned clubs that must continually seek outside income, Tusker benefit from the backing of a major corporate organisation. Their financial model provides stability for player salaries, travel, match operations and performance bonuses.
Players are reported to earn between Ksh120,000 and Ksh250,000 per month on average, while match-winning incentives can reach Ksh20,000 per game.
That corporate structure gives Tusker a dependable financial platform and reduces their dependence on gate receipts to meet operational costs.
4. AFC Leopards
AFC Leopards remain one of the country’s most commercially valuable football institutions.
Ingwe possess a massive and loyal following, giving the club an important advantage in both ticket sales and merchandise.
Their supporter base helps generate significant match-day income, while replica shirts and other club merchandise provide an additional commercial outlet.
The club’s strong brand also makes it attractive to corporate sponsors, including major gaming and commercial partners.
Although their financial model differs from that of heavily institution-backed sides such as Police, Tusker and Bandari, AFC Leopards’ combination of sponsorship, ticketing and merchandise revenue keeps them among Kenya’s richest football clubs.
5. Bandari FC
Bandari FC complete the top five, with their financial strength largely coming from the backing of the Kenya Ports Authority.
The coastal club’s institutional support gives them a level of financial security that many self-sponsored teams cannot match.
Rather than depending primarily on ticket sales or unpredictable commercial income, Bandari operate with the financial backing of a major state corporation.
That stability allows the club to invest in competitive salaries, player recruitment, travel and other football operations.
Their model has consequently made Bandari one of the most financially secure clubs in the FKF Premier League.
The gap between Kenya’s richest and smaller clubs
The central sponsorship and broadcast agreements have created a useful financial safety net for all 18 Premier League clubs.
As shown in the supplied figures, a club can expect approximately Ksh12.8 million to Ksh14.8 million in baseline annual funding from the SportPesa title grant and Azam Media broadcast payments alone.
But the real financial divide emerges outside those guaranteed payments.
Clubs such as Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards can leverage enormous supporter bases, ticket sales, merchandise and commercial appeal. Meanwhile, Kenya Police, Tusker and Bandari benefit from powerful institutional or corporate backing.
Prize money provides another opportunity. The league champion is guaranteed Ksh15 million, while the other leading teams can share an additional Ksh5 million.
Ultimately, the richest clubs are not necessarily those receiving the biggest basic league grant. They are the teams capable of stacking that guaranteed income with corporate sponsorships, institutional funding, gate receipts, merchandise, continental earnings and prize money.
Rich list:
Gor Mahia — strongest overall commercial and fan-driven revenue profile
Kenya Police FC — extensive corporate and institutional backing
Tusker FC — powerful EABL-backed financial structure
AFC Leopards — major commercial brand and strong supporter income
Bandari FC — substantial KPA institutional backing
The ranking above reflects the financial information and estimates provided in the supplied statement; it should be treated as a comparative rich list rather than audited club accounts.