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Football lovers in Kenya are heading to the country's stadiums in large numbers to watch their favourite teams compete in the Kenya Premier League (KPL).

In recent years, attendance has been low with matches watched by only a smattering of people. But since last year, the league has witnessed a boost in attendance because of what many say is better organisation and sponsorship.

"I have been attending football matches to watch my favourite club AFC Leopards because the league is now well organised," Oscar Kwena, 46, told Sabahi.

Kwena, a Nairobi resident, said he knows he will get value for his money when he goes to the stadium to watch his team, which is ranked second in the league.

The league is not just attracting the men; women too are attending in significant numbers.

"I make sure to watch every game whenever my team is playing its matches in Nairobi," said 22-year-old Emily Okindi, who follows Gor Mahia.

Okindi, a job-seeker who lives in Ongata Rongai, a suburb on the outskirts of Nairobi, told Sabahi that she started attending football matches last year. "That is the place to be if you want on and off the pitch entertainment," she said.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Nairobi West Chairman Simon Mugo told Sabahi that the league has re-gained popularity because of its good organisation and the better sponsorship of teams.

"The sponsorship of the top five teams in the league by corporate organisations has given it a boost. We now have matches covered live by DStv," he said.

The top teams this year have drawn sponsorship from big companies. AFC Leopards is sponsored by Mumias Sugar Company, Gor Mahia by Broookside Dairy and Sofapaka by the East African Portland Cement Company.

Tickets for most matches are 500 shillings ($6.2) for VIP seats and 200 shillings ($2.5) for terrace seats. The Nyayo Stadium, where most of the league matches are held, can hold up to 30,000 people.

The stadium's location, only three kilometres from the city centre, and improved security at matches have also helped increase game attendance, Mugo said.

"Long gone are the days when stone throwing was the order of the day at football matches," Mugo said, adding that the FKF works with the police to ensure enhanced security at all venues.

Better sponsorship has also translated to better players and more media coverage, said Robin Toskin, a sports journalist for the Standard Group.

"The quality of football is higher because we have good players in the league," he told Sabahi.

Higher-quality matches and the large crowds have also helped increase rivalry among teams and fans, he said.

Ten years ago, AFC Leopards and Gor Mahia had no sponsorships and their matches would attract as few as 100 people, Toskin said. In contrast, a match played by the same two teams on September 22nd at Nairobi's Moi International Sports Complex attracted 25,000 people.

Sponsors are now appealing to the entire family, marketing football matches as a fun family activity and offering off-the-pitch entertainment to attract youths, he said.

There are four rounds of matches left in the Premier League and the season's title is still too close to call. The contest is between current leaders Tusker, AFC Leopards, Gor Mahia and Ulinzi Stars.

"As the league comes to an end, we will witness more fans trooping to the stadiums to drum up support for their teams as the title is currently up for grabs," Toskin said.