After weeks of court battles, boardroom stand-offs and confusion as to which rulebook between the 2019 one and the 2025 version to apply in promotion and relegation of teams, the Football Kenya Federation Premier (FKF) League will kick off on Saturday, September 19, 2026.
According to the first round of fixtures released last week by FKF, four matches will be played on Saturday, and another four on Sunday at six venues across the country.
The league starts with 17 teams as FKF waits for a court decision on who between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United will join the league. Kakamega Homeboyz have not been included in the first round of fixtures
Kariobangi Sharks have contested the rule on promotion and relegation of teams after finishing 16th in the 2025/26 season. Mombasa United finished third in the National Super League (NSL) in the season.
Problems started when FKF announced that it would apply the new 2025 rule book as opposed to the 2019 one that had been used for previous seasons. As per the 2019 handbook, the club that finishes 16th in the FKF-PL does not go down automatically but plays in the promotion/relegation play-off on a home-and-away basis against the club that finishes third in NSL.
If that were to be applied, Kariobangi Sharks would play Mombasa United, and the aggregate winner would take the single place reserved for the promoted team in the top league.
2025/26 FKF Premier League player of the season Joseph Waithira of Murang'a Seal.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
But the new 2025 rules preferred by FKF make no reference to the play-offs. Instead, the bottom three teams in the league are automatically relegated from the league and the top three from the NSL are automatically promoted. In this case, Kariobangi Sharks (16th), Bidco United (17th) and Sofapaka (18th) are automatically relegated, and Migori Youth, 3K and Mombasa United, who finished first, second and third in NSL respectively, are automatically promoted to FKF-PL. Kariobangi Sharks who are associated with former FKF boss Nick Mwendwa, challenged their relegation from top-flight football at the court, arguing that the 2025 rules were not properly adopted and that the team should instead honour a play-off match against Mombasa United as per 2029 rules instead of being automatically relegated.
Mombasa United find themselves in the middle. Under the 2019 book, they have earned a place in the league play-offs by finishing third in the NSL. Under the 2025 playbook, they have automatically earned promotion to FKF-KPL.
The High Court gave a direction that unlocked the season. It ordered that the league should commence with 17 teams pending determination of the matter. A ruling is expected on Wednesday, September 24.
The action begins today at 3pm across three venues, with one late kick-off at 4pm.
Mathare United and APS Bomet, who survived relegation last season by a whisker, will square it out at Police Sacco Stadium starting from 3pm in the opening fixture of the 2026/27 season. Both teams have bolstered their squads to avoid a repeat of what befell them last season when they spent most of the time fighting relegation.
Gor Mahia players and officials celebrate with the Football Kenya Federation Premier League trophy at Nyayo National Stadium on May 31, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Kisii-based side Shabana FC will be away to Posta Rangers at Wang’uru Stadium in Kirinyaga County also from pm. Another 3pm kick-off will be between Ulinzi Stars and Tusker FC at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
Defending champions Gor Mahia FC will begin their title defence against Murang’a SEAL FC at Nyayo National Stadium from 4pm. After exiting the CAF Confederation Cup in the first preliminary round via 7-1 loss to Egyptian giants Pyramids FC, Gor will be keen to kick-start their campaign brightly.
Tomorrow, debutants Migori Youth will make their maiden appearance in KPL by welcoming Police FC at Awendo Green Stadium from 3pm. Fellow debutants 3K FC will be at Moi Stadium Embu to play Mara Sugar FC from 3pm. Mara Sugar also struggled last season and will be keen to take three points on the road.
Nairobi United will entertain KCB at Police Sacco Stadium from 3pm while AFC Leopards will complete the first round of fixtures by welcoming Bandari FC at Nyayo National Stadium from 4pm.
As football stakeholders wait for the court to pronounce itself on the 18th team, these are the possible outcomes:
If the court rules that the 2019 rulebook should continue to apply, FKF will be forced to make arrangements for a two-leg relegation/promotion play-off between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United, with the resulting aggregate winner joining the other 17 teams in top-flight football. If the Tribunal rules that the 2025 handbook was properly adopted, then Sharks will be playing in the NSL for the 2026/2027 season while Mombasa United will make their maiden appearance in FKF-KPL as the 18th team. If Kariobangi Sharks do not agree with the decision by the High Court, they can appeal the decision to a higher court.
But for now, after weeks of talking about rule books, football is back on grass. For fans who have been waiting to make their way into stadiums to catch a glimpse of the local action, the wait is finally over.
