As teams wait for the kick-off of the 2026/27 Football Kenya Federation Premier League (FKF-PL) season, newly-promoted Migori Youth are counting down to the big day when they start life in the top flight.
Since June 19, 2026 when FKF released kick-off dates for the season, there have been two false-starts occasioned by a stalemate regarding rules on promotion and relegation of teams.
As it is, the 18th team in the league is yet to be known but what is certain is, Migori Youth will play former champions Kenya Police in their first match in the top league.
The season was initially scheduled to kick off on August 22, but that was pushed to September 19, before being postponed again.
Kariobangi Sharks, who challenged their relegation from the top league, will play Mombasa United in a two-leg playoff to determine the 18th team in the league.
On Thursday, FKF announced that the first leg will be played in Mombasa on October 1, with the reverse fixture scheduled for Nairobi on October 6.
Although the Migori-based side represents the county, its promotion has revived Nyanza region’s hopes of having a strong presence in FKF Premier League.
Shabana from Kisii County is the other team from Nyanza region in the league. Migori Youth earned promotion to the top league after finishing top in the 2025/26 National Super League (NSL) on 81 points.
They won the second-tier league title after beating Equity 2-1 before drawing with 3K FC in their final match of the campaign. 3K FC finished second with 77 points, while Mombasa United were third on 76 points.
Under the FKF’s revised 2025 regulations, the top three NSL teams secured automatic promotion to the top league, replacing the previous promotion system that included a play-off.
Migori Youth FC players celebrate with the National Super League (NSL) trophy at Moi Stadium in Embu on June 13, 2026.
Photo credit: Courtesy of FKF
Under the 2019 FKF regulations, the bottom two Premier League teams were automatically relegated, while the 16th-placed team in the 18-team league played in a two-leg promotion/relegation play-off against the third-placed NSL side.
In the NSL, the top two teams earned automatic promotion, with the third-placed team entering the play-off.
The 2025 revised regulations introduced three automatic relegations from the Premier League and three automatic promotions from the NSL, effectively removing the traditional play-off system.
As they prepare for life in the top flight against 2024/25 champions Kenya Police, the NSL champions have appointed Salim Babu head coach.
The CAF A-licence holder is a former coach of the Kenya Under-20 national team, and former league team Nairobi City Stars.
Babu replaces Sammy Owano, who guided Migori Youth to the NSL title last season. Owano has been retained as Babu’s assistant. At the time of Babu’s appointment, Owano had not attained a CAF ‘A’ or ‘B’ coaching licence.
Speaking to Nation Sport, Babu said Migori Youth had prepared sufficiently for the challenge and were not entering the Premier League merely to make up the numbers.
“We respect Kenya Police because they are the champions, but we are ready for the challenge. We have the quality and determination to compete for victory,” Babu said.
He has strengthened the squad with the arrival of two players from Tusker and APS Bomet, David Odoyo and Philemon Nyakwaka.
“We have added two players, David Odoyo from Tusker and Philemon Nyakwaka from APS Bomet. We believe they will add value and experience to the squad,” he said.
Babu also called on fans to give the team time and backing as it adjusts to the demands of top-flight football.
“We have to perform, but fans from the region also need to be patient and support the team. This is a developing side and we are working to improve it. I am confident that we have what it takes to remain in the league,” he said.
The coach believes the team’s pre-season programme has given his players a glimpse of the intensity they will encounter in the Premier League.
Their biggest test came in the Green Legacy Cup at Nyayo National Stadium in August this year. Migori Youth stunned reigning champions Gor Mahia by taking a 2-0 lead before the champions fought back to level the match 2-2. Gor Mahia eventually prevailed 4-3 on penalties.
Daniel Wabwire (left) of 3K FC fights for the ball with Noah Jagongo of Migori Youth FC in a National Super League match at Moi Stadium in Embu on June 6, 2026
Photo credit: Courtesy
Babu, who has previously coached Kenya Police and Nairobi City Stars, wants his players to learn from that encounter, particularly the lapses in concentration that allowed Gor Mahia back into the match.
His squad comprises Christopher Koloti, Vincent Mulama, Nehemiah Onchiri, Maxwell Odundo, Philemon Nyakwaka, Dennis Magio, Vincent Owino, Elly Owande, Francis Memusi, Stephen Opinya, Allan Otieno, Gedion Stephen Ogweno, Evans Omondi, David Odoyo, Clinton Okoth and Frederick Ngiela.
Erick Okinyi, Syphus Otieno, Elvis Albert Otieno, Sebastian Okumu, Nigol Mohammed, Michael Ogembo, Prince Kouassi and David Onyango left the club during the August transfer window.
Migori Youth chairman Abdi Osman believes their status as newcomers could work in their favour against the established Premier League sides.
“We are coming into the league as underdogs, and that could give us an advantage when we face established teams such as Gor Mahia, Kenya Police and Tusker,” Osman said.
He added that the club had also addressed key logistical and welfare needs ahead of its historic campaign.
“The players are physically and mentally prepared. We have sponsorship from Mozzart, and we also have a bus that was provided by the President. These are important resources as we embark on this journey,” he said.
Migori Youth will play their home matches at Awendo Green Stadium because Migori Stadium is still undergoing renovation.
Their arrival in the Premier League comes at a time when Nyanza has endured a prolonged decline in top-flight representation.
Apart from 2006, when Migori-based Sony Sugar lifted the coveted FKF Premier League title, the 2015, 2016 and 2019/20 seasons were among the most recent campaigns when the region was represented by three clubs.
In 2015 and 2016, Nyanza region was represented by Sony Sugar, Chemelil Sugar and Muhoroni Youth. In the 2019/20 season, Kisumu All Stars, Chemelil Sugar and Sony Sugar carried the region’s hopes.
Western Stima, a club largely associated with Kakamega but which later shifted its base to Kisumu, also competed in the Premier League during those seasons, giving football fans in the region several clubs to follow.
Chemelil Sugar and Western Stima were disbanded in 2020 because of financial difficulties, while Sony Sugar was rebranded as Gusii FC in 2021 after being purchased by Kisii-based businessman Paul Mayieko.
The collapse of Chemelil Sugar and the sale of Sony Sugar followed the withdrawal of sponsorship by Chemelil Sugar Company and South Nyanza Sugar Company respectively.
The two companies ended their financial support for the clubs after their revenues declined amid difficult economic conditions. Western Stima faced a similar fate after losing the backing of Kenya Power and Lighting Company.
Kisumu All Stars have remained in the lower divisions since their relegation from the Premier League in 2020.
Muhoroni Youth have since dropped from the FKF Premier League and currently compete in the FKF Division One League. Kisumu All Stars and MOFA, meanwhile, play in the National Super League.
