The 2026/2027 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-KPL) failed to kick off as planned on Saturday in view of two court orders, leaving players, coaches and fans frustrated.
An order issued on Friday evening at a Murang’a court stopped the league from commencing until the 18th team in the competition is known and included in the list of fixtures.
As this was happening, Mombasa United FC, a team that is fighting for the single remaining league slot with Kariobangi Sharks, also obtained a separate court order in Kiambu compelling FKF to include them in the fixtures as the 18th team.
Tusker FC captain Aboud Omar during a training session at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on September 11, 2026.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
Harambee Stars and Tusker FC captain Aboud Omar led the outcry, with Bandari FC’s head coach Charles Okere and Mara Sugar’s assistant coach Godfrey Naibei warning that lack of competitive football is hurting players’ sharpness, careers and Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), which Kenya will co-host with neighbours Uganda and Tanzania.
“Ten years ago, the Kenyan Premier League was among the better leagues in Africa. We were ranked around the top 20 on the continent, and a big part of that was proper management and professional standards. But look at where we are today. Many of the neighbouring countries have moved ahead of us because they have invested in better management, infrastructure and professionalism, while our league continues to struggle,” Omar lamented.
“I have just woken up to the news that the league has been cancelled again, and honestly, it is so frustrating. We have continental competitions and national team games coming up. How are we supposed to compete at the highest level when we do not have enough competitive matches to maintain our fitness and sharpness?” Omar added.
Okere, whose Bandari side had travelled from Mombasa to Nairobi for a scheduled match against AFC Leopards at Nyayo National Stadium today, said the latest stoppage had thrown his pre-season plans into disarray.
“We have prepared for long, we travelled, we booked a hotel, we did our final tactical session on Friday, then on Saturday morning we were told there would be no game. This is not good for players. A player needs rhythm, competitive minutes. Without league matches, you lose match fitness, you lose sharpness, you risk injuries when you finally play,” Okere told Nation Sport on Saturday.
In Wang’uru, Kirinyaga County, Shabana supporters who had travelled overnight from Kisii in hired buses found the stadium locked and were met with a terse Posta Rangers statement announcing the postponement.
“We left Kisii at 6pm on Friday, we have paid for the bus and hotel in Mwea. No refund. No football. Who compensates us?” Shabana FC’s fan Kennedy Onkoba lamented.
On Friday evening, the court issued two orders with regard to the composition of the league.
Nairobi United fans rally behind their team against Gor Mahia during Mozzart Bet Cup finals at Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi on June 29, 2025.
Photo credit: Chris Omollo | Nation Media Group
The court in Murang’a stopped FKF from commencing the 2026/27 league season until the 18th team is determined through a promotion/relegation play-off under the 2019 rule book.
As that order was being issued, Mombasa United FC obtained another order at the Kiambu High Court compelling FKF to include them in the league as the 18th team.
Justice Francis Nyungu Kyambia certified the matter as urgent and scheduled it for hearing on September 29. It is the second time the league has been stopped this season.
