AFC Leopards fans during their league match against Tusker FC on January 11 last year at Nyayo National Stadium.
The uncertainty surrounding the start of the 2026/27 Football Kenya Federation Premier League season, which was due to begin this weekend, could have significant consequences for Kenyan football. This is particularly true given that the country is set to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
The confusion is due to conflicting FKF regulations adopted in 2019 and 2025. The two sets of rules provide different formulas for promotion and relegation.
Under the 2019 regulations, the bottom two Premier League teams are automatically relegated, while the top two National Super League (NSL) teams earn automatic promotion.
The 2025 FKF regulations stipulate automatic relegation of the bottom three top league teams and the automatic promotion of the top three NSL teams. The 2025 rules were communicated in September last year, after the league had already started.
Kariobangi Sharks filed a case challenging the new rules, which would have seen them automatically relegated, but the Sports Disputes Tribunal ruled in favour of the FKF, finding that the 2025 regulations were applicable.
Kariobangi Sharks then took the case to the High Court in Murang’a, which suspended the SDT’s decision. The case was later transferred to the Milimani Civil Court ahead of the hearing on September 24.
This has already raised concerns among the league’s commercial partners and clubs. On August 14, Patrick Kahemele, CEO of Azam Media, the league’s principal broadcast partner, wrote to FKF seeking clarity on the start date of the new season, the final league composition and how the federation intended to manage the ensuing disputes.
Azam said that this uncertainty was making it difficult for the broadcaster, participating clubs, commercial partners, and production teams to prepare for and commit to the new campaign.
“Given the operational and commercial planning required for the successful delivery of the season, we would appreciate this clarification as soon as possible,” said Kahemele.
Initial deal
Ally Salum Omar of Kariobangi Sharks celebrates his goal against Posta Rangers during an FKF Premier League match at Dandora Stadium on February 14, 2025.
Azam TV is in the first year of a seven-year partnership with FKF. The initial deal is worth Sh129 million, increasing annually by Sh12.9 million, bringing the total value of the agreement to Sh1.17 billion over seven years.
League title sponsor SportPesa has also expressed concern in a letter to FKF dated August 13.
“This continued uncertainty is having a significant impact on our business operations and reducing the value we should be receiving as title sponsors of the competition,” said Alan McTavish, Global Head of Sponsorship.
“Furthermore, those court cases are damaging the reputation of Kenyan football, especially in the lead-up to Afcon 2027.”
Yesterday, Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier said that, with the court setting the Kariobangi Sharks case for September 24, it is highly unlikely the league will start this weekend.
“It will affect our preparations for the CAF Champions League because now we have to spend money on friendlies. When the league is running, we would play every weekend, which would improve the players’ fitness ahead of the CAF game,” said Rachier.
Nairobi United chairman Nelson Odaya said that the uncertainty had also affected the club’s efforts to secure new sponsors.
The club was set to sign partnerships with two companies, but these have been put on hold due to the uncertainty surrounding the start of the league.
“You can’t procure merchandise without a new sponsor,’ said Odaya, adding, “Players are on salaries, so we are paying salaries without players being on the field. Afcon is approaching, and the league is supposed to start early so that players can train with the national team.”
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