Gor Mahia 3-0 Ushuru: Frank Nuttall's K'Ogalo thump Ken Kenyatta's spluttering charges to retain title in Kisumu

Never mind the sweltering sun in Kisumu. Gor Mahia – Kenya’s most successful club – have retained the Kenyan Premier League title after thumping visiting Ushuru FC 3-0.

It might have ended in scenes of utter bedlam, sparked by the sight of skipper Jerim Onyango lifting aloft the league diadem – scenes reminiscent of November 3, 2013, when Gor won the title after an 18-year wait.

Going to the final match of the season, K’Ogalo just needed to beat KRA and the title would be theirs. Despite enduring a gut-wrenching, nerve-shredding opening half, Eric Ochieng’s thunderous strike at the stroke of half-time and Dan Sserunkuma’s second within a few minutes of the second half plus substitute Simon Mburu’s deflected effort -which went in off KRA's Richard Mmboyi - with 11 minutes to play brought the long debate on whether the defending champions would suffer the fate of 2012 – where they lost the title on the last day of the season to Tusker FC – to a close, this time in style.

With second-placed Sofapaka drawing 2-2 with 10-time champions Tusker at the Ruaraka Sports Ground, Gor’s Green Army stormed the pitch with the club’s stewards and reserve players carrying Frank Nuttall in celebration after Amos Wanjala blew for full time.

KRA'S POOR RUN

The 2014 KPL race might have ended in an emphatic victory for K’Ogalo. It might have ended with a tenth straight loss for the visitors albeit with their safety assured. But Kisumu’s Moi Stadium was turned to a song and dance field. With the boys having delivered their 14th title – a record in the local league - fans wailed in joy, clubs officials and members of the technical bench overwhelmed by joy with others left speechless.

The league’s final day might not have seen a repeat of the dramatic conclusion to the race as witnessed two years ago, but Ken Kenyatta’s spluttering charges – who had lost their last nine matches in the league after an impressive opening first leg – gave little resistance to the determined Gor Mahia players who were aware their fate was in their hands.

TUSKER, SOFAPKA DRAW

At Ruaraka, where Elly Kalekwa and his entire brigade were hoping the result against Tusker would go their way and Gor fail to beat Ushuru to go home with the title, but things got thick for Batoto ba Mungu with two minutes to the breather after Brian Osumba - the 2013 KPL Midfielder of the Year - gave the brewers the lead with a stunning shot that beat David Okello.

Burundian national Fiston Abdoul Razak levelled the score with a thumping header past Boniface Oluoch - who was making his first start for the brewers this season. Anthony Ndolo gave the visitors the lead before Jesse Were - who had a goal early on disallowed for an offside - slotted home from the spot after Anthony Kimani was penalised for handling the ball in the box for a 2-2 draw.

In other results, Gor's eternal rivals AFC Leopards finished the league sixth after labouring 3-2 past Bandari in Mombasa, while John Kamau's wasteful Thika United finished eighth after a last day 0-0 draw with Chemelil Sugar at the Thika Municipal Stadium.

Robinson Ofwuoko's late charge to save Nairobi City Stars from the chop hit a snag as the Kawangware-based side were held to a barren draw by visiting Mathare United while KCB ensured they'll feature in the top tier next season after securing a 3-2 win over already relegated Top Fry AllStars at the City Stadium.

Muhoroni Youth overpowered Western Stima 2-0 in Mumias to complete the season seventh on the log.

Gor top the standing with 60 points with Sofapaka second on 57. Tusker are third on 54, while Ulinzi Stars - who beat Sony Sugar 1-0 in Awendo in their last game - coming in fourth with 51 points. Chemelil are fifth on 48.