Kenyan Sports Personality of the Year
Kenyan Sport Personality of the Year Awards, also known as SOYA Awards, are annual national awards given for sports personalities and organisations in Kenya. The awards were initiated in 2004 by Paul Tergat. The awards for each year are held at the beginning of the next year (e.g. 2008 awards took place in January 2009).
Awards winners
[edit]- See footnote[1]
2004
[edit]- Sportsman of the year: Henry Wanyoike (athletics)
- Sportswoman of the year: Catherine Ndereba (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (men): Kenya national rugby sevens team
- Sports team of the year (women): National volleyball team
- Most Promising sportsman: Brimin Kipruto (athletics)
- Hall of Fame inductee: Kipchoge Keino (athletics)
2005
[edit]- Sportsman of the year: Benjamin Limo (athletics)
- Sportswoman of the year: Catherine Ndereba (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (men): Kenya Chiba Ekiden relay team (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (women): National volleyball team
- Most Promising sportsman: Samuel Wanjiru (athletics)
- Most Promising sportswoman: Veronica Nyaruai Wanjiru (athletics)
- Hall of Fame inductee: Joe Kadenge (football)
- Sports Federation: Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (general)
- Special Category: Edwin Kipchumba (athletics, paralympic)
2006
[edit]- Sportsman of the year: Alex Kipchirchir (athletics)
- Sportswoman of the year: Janeth Jepkosgei (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (men): Junior World Cross Country team (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (women): Kenya Commercial Bank (volleyball)
- Most Promising sportsman: David Dunford (swimming)
- Most Promising sportswoman: Pauline Korikwiang (athletics)
- Hall of Fame inductee: Hardial Singh (field hockey)
- Sports Federation: Athletics Kenya
- Special Category: Francis Thuo (athletics, paralympic)
2007
[edit]- Sportsman of the year: Jason Dunford (swimming)
- Sportswoman of the year: Janeth Jepkosgei (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (men): Kenya national rugby sevens team
- Sports team of the year (women): Junior World Cross Country team (athletics)
- Most Promising sportsman: Asbel Kiprop (athletics)
- Most Promising sportswoman: Ruth Bosibori (athletics)
- Hall of Fame inductee: Paul Wekesa (tennis)
- Sports Federation: Kenya Motorsports Foundation
- Special Category (men): Abraham Tarbei (athletics, paralympic)
- Special Category (women): Betty Cheruiyot (athletics, paralympic)
- Community Hero: Tegla Loroupe (athletics, paralympic)
2008
[edit]- Sportsman of the year: Samuel Wanjiru (athletics)
- Sportswoman of the year: Pamela Jelimo (athletics)
- Sports team of the year (men): Kenya national rugby sevens team
- Sports team of the year (women): Kenya Prisons (volleyball)
- Most Promising sportsman: Josephat Bett (athletics)
- Most Promising sportswoman: Achieng Ajulu-Bushell (swimming)
- Hall of Fame inductee: Jonathan Niva (football)
- Sports Federation: Kenya Rugby Football Union
- Special Category (men): Henry Kiprono Kirwa (athletics, paralympic)
- Special Category (women): Mary Nakhumicha Zakayo (athletics, paralympic)
- Community Hero: Juma Abdalla Kent (basketball)
- Coach of the Year: Julius Kirwa (athletics)
2009
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Collins Injera | Rugby union |
| Sportswoman of the year | Linet Masai | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kenya national rugby sevens team | Rugby union |
| Sports team of the year (women) | World Cross Country Championships team | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportsman | George Odhiambo | Football |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Mercy Cherono | Athletics |
| Hall of Fame inductee | Doris Wefwafwa | Volleyball |
| Sports Federation | Athletics Kenya | Athletics |
| Special Category (men) | David Kiptum | Paralympic athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Mary Nakhumicha | Paralympic athletics |
| Community Hero | Veronicah Osogo | Tennis |
| Coach of the Year | Benjamin Ayimba | Rugby union |
| Schools category (boys) | Laiser Hill Academy | |
| Schools category (girls) | Shimba Hills Secondary School |
2010
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | David Rudisha | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Nancy Lagat | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Ulinzi Stars | Football |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Kenya Prisons | Volleyball |
| Most Promising sportsman | Caleb Mwangangi | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Mercy Cherono | Athletics |
| Hall of Fame inductee | Wilson Kiprugut | Athletics |
| Sports Federation | Athletics Kenya | Athletics |
| Special Category (men) | Collins Wandera | Paralympic athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Mary Nakhumicha | Paralympic athletics |
| Community Hero | Brother Colm O'Connell | Athletics |
| Coach of the Year | Zedekiah Otieno | Football |
| Schools category (boys) | Kerugoya | |
| Schools category (girls) | Malava |
2011
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Patrick Makau Musyoki | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Vivian Cheruiyot | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Tusker FC | Football |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Kenya Prisons | Volleyball |
| Most Promising sportsman | Shivan Vinayak | Motocross |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Naomi Wafula | Golf |
| Hall of Fame inductee | Robbie Armstrong | Cricket |
| Sports Federation | Athletics Kenya | Athletics |
| Special Category (men) | Abraham Cheruiyot Tarbei | Paralympic athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Jennifer Mutuko | Paralympic athletics |
| Community Hero | Rose Naliaka | Golf |
| Coach of the Year | Sammy Omollo | Football |
| Schools category (boys) | Laiser Hill Academy | |
| Schools category (girls) | Archbishop Njenga Girls High School |
2012
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | David Lekuta Rudisha | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Mary Keitany | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Tusker FC | Football |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Kenya women's national under-20 football team | Football |
| Most Promising sportsman | Timothy Kitum | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Faith Kipyegon | Athletics |
| Hall of Fame inductee | Tekla Chemabwai | Athletics |
| Comeback of the Year | Pamela Jelimo | Athletics |
| Special Category (men) | Abraham Cheruiyot Tarbei | Paralympic athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Mary Nakhumicha Zakayo | Paralympic athletics |
| Coach of the Year | Caroline Kola | Athletics |
| Schools category (boys) | St. Anthony Boys High School | |
| Schools category (girls) | Malava Girls Secondary School | Volleyball |
2013
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Ezekiel Kemboi | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Edna Kiplagat | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kenya national rugby sevens team | Rugby 7s |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Kenya Prisons | Volleyball |
| Most Promising sportsman | Tejas Hirani | Motorsports |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Emily Muteti | Swimming |
| Hall of Fame inductee | Philip Waruinge | Boxing |
| Sports Federation | Kenya Secondary Schools Association | |
| Comeback of the Year | Roselyn Odhiambo | Volleyball |
| Special Category (men) | Simon Cherono | Paralympic athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Beryl Atieno | Paralympic athletics |
| Schools category (boys) | Upper Hill School | Basketball |
| Schools category (girls) | Kwanthanze High School | Volleyball |
2014
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Caleb Ndiku | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Eunice Sum | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | KCB RC | Rugby union |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Telkom Orange Hockey Club | Hockey |
| Most Promising sportsman | Ronald Kwemoi | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Chanelle Wangari | Golf |
| Sports Federation | Kenya Volleyball Federation | Volleyball |
| Comeback of the Year | Innocent Simiyu | Rugby union |
| Sportsman with a disability | Nikhil Sachania | Motorsports |
| Sportswoman with a disability | Jane Wambui | Paralympic athletics |
| Coach of the Year | Jos Openda | Hockey |
| Schools category (boys) | Friends School Kamusinga | |
| Schools category (girls) | Shimba Hills Secondary School |
2015
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Julius Yego | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Hyvin Kiyeng | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Gor Mahia FC | Football |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Malkia Strikers | Volleyball |
| Most Promising sportsman | Kumari Taki | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Agnes Tirop | Athletics |
| Hall of Fame | Brian Hokins Violet Barasa John Mucheru |
Shooting Volleyball Golf |
| Sports Federation | Kenya Volleyball Federation | Volleyball |
| Comeback of the Year | David Lung’aho | Rugby |
| Sportsman with a disability | Onesmus Mutinda | Paralympic athletics |
| Sportswoman with a disability | Susan Gatwiri | Paralympic athletics |
| Coach of the Year | David Lung’aho | Volleyball |
| Outstanding performer (boy) | David Paristao | |
| Outstanding performer (girl) | Judith Nkatha | Tennis |
| Schools category (boys) | Laiser Hill Academy | |
| Schools category (girls) | Sinyolo Girls Secondary School |
2016
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Eliud Kipchoge | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Vivian Cheruiyot | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kenya national rugby sevens team | Rugby 7s |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Harambee Starlets | Football |
| Most Promising sportsman | Kipyegon Bett | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Mwanalima Adam Jereko | Football |
| Hall of Fame | Jackson Omaido Naftali Temu |
Rugby Athletics |
| Sports Federation | Tennis Kenya | Tennis |
| Sportsman with a disability | Samuel Muchai | Paralympic athletics |
| Sportswoman with a disability | Nancy Chelangat Koech | Paralympic athletics |
| Coach of the Year | Jos Openda | Hockey |
| Outstanding performer (boy) | Allan Singar | Table tennis |
| Outstanding performer (girl) | Hadassah Gichovi | Swimming |
| Schools category (boys) | Kamusinga | Hockey |
| Schools category (girls) | Kaya Tiwi High School | Basketball |
| School Coach of the Year | Philip Onyango | Basketball |
2017
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Conseslus Kipruto | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Hellen Obiri | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kenya national under-19 cricket team | Cricket |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Lionesses | Rugby |
| Most Promising sportsman | Aman Gandhi (cricketer) | Cricket |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Jackline Wambui | Athletics |
| Hall of Fame | Stephen Muchoki Allan Thigo |
Boxing Football |
| Sports Federation | Athletics Kenya | Athletics |
| Sportsman with a disability | Samuel Muchai | Paralympic athletics |
| Sportswoman with a disability | Beryl Wamira | Paralympic athletics |
| Coach of the Year | Jimmy Kamande | Cricket |
| Outstanding performer (boy) | Emmanuel Ndonga | Swimming |
| Outstanding performer (girl) | Faith Nyabera | Tennis |
| Schools category (boys) | Muhuri Muchiri High School | Rugby 7s |
| Schools category (girls) | Wiyeta Girls Secondary School | Football |
| School Coach of the Year | Kikechi Kombo | Rugby 7s |
2018
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Eliud Kipchoge | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Beatrice Chepkoech | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Harambee Stars | Football |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Telkom Kenya | Volleyball |
| Most Promising sportsman | Edward Zakayo | Athletics |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Angella Okutoyi | Tennis |
| Sports Federation | Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association | |
| Sportsman with a disability | Dickson Onduari | Handball |
| Sportswoman with a disability | Jane Ndenga | Wheelchair tennis |
| Coach of the Year | Kevin Wambua | Rugby |
| Schools category (boys) | Laiser Hill Academy | Rugby |
| Schools category (girls) | Kwale Girls High School | Football |
2019
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Eliud Kipchoge | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Hellen Obiri | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | KCB | Rugby |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Malaika Strikers | Volleyball |
| Most Promising sportsman | Geoffrey Okwach | Rugby |
| Most Promising sportswoman | Jentrix Shikangwa | Football |
| Sports Federation | Kenya Special Olympics | |
| Special Category (men) | Samwel Mushai Kimani | Athletics |
| Special Category (women) | Catherine Nyaga | ?? |
| Community Hero | Johanna Omolo | Football |
| Coach of the Year | Paul Bitok | Athletics |
| Most Outstanding Player (boys) | Stephen Ndegwa | Swimming |
| Most Outstanding Player (girls) | Maria Biranchi | Swimming |
| Schools category (boys) | Kakamega High School | Rugby |
| Schools category (girls) | Kwanthanze Secondary School | Volleyball |
| School Coach | Justin Kigwari – Kwanthanze Secondary School | Volleyball |
2021
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Ferdinand Omanyala | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Faith Kipyegon | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kenya national rugby sevens team | Rugby Sevens |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Vihiga Queens | Football |
| Most Promising Boy | Heristone Wafula | Athletics |
| Most Promising Girl | Teresia Muthoni Gateri | Athletics |
| Coach of the Year | Charles Okere | Football |
2022
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Eliud Kipchoge | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Faith Kipyegon | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kabras Sugar | Rugby |
| Sports team of the year (women) | KCB | Volleyball |
| Most Promising Boy | Andrew Wahome | Golf |
| Most Promising Girl | Madina Okot | Basketball |
| Coach of the Year | Japheth Munala | Volleyball |
2023
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Kelvin Kiptum | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Faith Kipyegon | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Kabras Sugar | Rugby |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Women's national 3x3 team | Basketball |
| Most Promising Boy | Ishmael Kipkurui | Athletics |
| Most Promising Girl | Valerie Nekesa | Football |
| Coach of the Year | Evelyn Kidogo | Basketball |
| School team of the year (boys) | Koyonzo High School | Rugby |
| School team of the year (girls) | Kwanthanze High School | Volleyball |
| School Coach of the year | Isaac Muresia | Volleyball |
2024
[edit]| Category | Winner | Sport |
|---|---|---|
| Sportsman of the year | Emmanuel Wanyonyi | Athletics |
| Sportswoman of the year | Beatrice Chebet | Athletics |
| Sports team of the year (men) | Nairobi City Thunder | Basketball |
| Sports team of the year (women) | Junior Starlets | Football |
| Most Promising Boy | Ishmael Kipkurui | Athletics |
| Most Promising Girl | Valerie Nekesa | Football |
| Coach of the Year | Mildred Cheche | Football |
| School team of the year (boys) | All Saints Embu High School | Rugby |
| School team of the year (girls) | Kesogon Secondary School | Volleyball |
| School Coach of the year | Benson Mwenda | Rugby |
Individual winners
[edit]| Year | Sportsman of the Year | Sportswoman of the Year | Ref. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winner | Sport | Winner | Sport | ||
| 2004 | Henry Wanyoike | Athletics | Catherine Ndereba | Athletics | [2] |
| 2005 | Benjamin Limo | Athletics | Catherine Ndereba (2) | Athletics | [3] |
| 2006 | Alex Kipchirchir | Athletics | Janeth Jepkosgei | Athletics | [4] |
| 2007 | Jason Dunford | Swimming | Janeth Jepkosgei (2) | Athletics | [5] |
| 2008 | Samuel Wanjiru | Athletics | Pamela Jelimo | Athletics | [6] |
| 2009 | Collins Injera | Rugby union | Linet Masai | Athletics | [7] |
| 2010 | David Rudisha | Athletics | Nancy Lagat | Athletics | [8] |
| 2011 | Patrick Makau | Athletics | Vivian Cheruiyot | Athletics | [9] |
| 2012 | David Rudisha (2) | Athletics | Mary Keitany | Athletics | [10] |
| 2013 | Ezekiel Kemboi | Athletics | Edna Kiplagat | Athletics | [11] |
| 2014 | Caleb Ndiku | Athletics | Eunice Sum | Athletics | [12] |
| 2015 | Julius Yego | Athletics | Hyvin Kiyeng | Athletics | [13] |
| 2016 | Eliud Kipchoge | Athletics | Vivian Cheruiyot (2) | Athletics | [14] |
| 2017 | Conseslus Kipruto | Athletics | Hellen Obiri | Athletics | [15] |
| 2018 | Eliud Kipchoge (2) | Athletics | Beatrice Chepkoech | Athletics | [16] |
| 2019 | Eliud Kipchoge (3) | Athletics | Hellen Obiri (2) | Athletics | [17] |
| 2021 | Ferdinand Omanyala | Athletics | Faith Kipyegon | Athletics | [18] |
| 2022 | Eliud Kipchoge (4) | Athletics | Faith Kipyegon (2) | Athletics | [19] |
| 2023 | Kelvin Kiptum | Athletics | Faith Kipyegon (3) | Athletics | [20] |
| 2024 | Emmanuel Wanyonyi | Athletics | Beatrice Chebet | Athletics | [21] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ Soya Awards[usurped] official website
- ^ "Stars for Soya Award: Wanyama faces challenge from rugby Sevens' Ambaka, Kemboi". StandardMedia.co.ke. 5 December 2013. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SOYA Winners 2005". SOYAAwards.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SOYA Winners 2006". SOYAAwards.com. Archived from the original on September 19, 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SOYA Winners 2007". SOYAAwards.com. Archived from the original on 15 August 2016. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SOYA Winners 2008". SOYAAwards.com. Archived from the original on September 27, 2010. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SOYA Winners 2009". SOYAAwards.com. Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "SOYA Winners 2010". SOYAAwards.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2008. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ Mwenda, Wanjiku (15 December 2011). "Makau and Cheruiyot bag top SOYA titles". MichezoAfrika.com. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "King Rudisha crowned Kenya's finest 2012 sport". SportsNewsArena.com. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ Abuga, Amos (10 December 2013). "Kemboi, Kiplagat scoop top SOYA awards". MichezoAfrika.com. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ Isaboke, Alex (16 January 2015). "Kenya: Mwangangi Crowned 2014 Soya Winner". AllAfrica.com. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ Isaboke, Alex (16 January 2016). "Yego crowned 2015 SOYA winner". CapitalFM.co.ke. Retrieved 24 August 2016.
- ^ "Cheruiyot named 2016 Sports Personality of the year during Soya Awards". kutv.co.ke. 20 January 2017. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Paralympian Samuel Muchai Scoops Overall Title At 2017 SOYA Awards". www.radiojambo.co.ke. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ Isabirye, David (12 January 2019). "Kipchoge, Harambee Stars smile big at 2018 Soya awards in Kenya". Kawowo Sports. Retrieved 7 May 2025.
- ^ "Full list of 2019 SOYA awards winners". Citizen News Line. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ Komen, Jonathan (26 January 2022). "Kipyegon, Omanyala wear SOYA award crowns". The Standard. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ Isaboke, Alex (20 January 2023). "Best of the best: Kipchoge, Kipyegon named 2022 Kenya's finest at SOYA". Capital Sports. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
- ^ "Kelvin Kiptum Wins 2023 Sportsman Of The Year Award – Kenyatta University TV (KUTV). All Rights Reserved". kutv.co.ke. 3 March 2024. Retrieved 5 May 2025.
- ^ ISABOKE, ALEX (17 April 2025). "Olympic Conquerors Beatrice Chebet, Emmanuel Wanyonyi Reign Supreme At 2024 SOYA". Capital Sports. Retrieved 5 May 2025.