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

See footnote^[1]

2004

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• Kenya national athletics team