Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has explained the postponement of the 2026/27 SportPesa League, citing conflicting High Court directives concerning the composition of the 18-team competition and a dispute over promotion and relegation.
In a statement issued on Monday, September 21 and obtained by Vantage Ke, FKF President Hussein Mohammed said the federation assumed office with a commitment to transform Kenyan football by establishing a sustainable, professional and comprehensive football system.
FKF said the High Court in Murang’a had initially issued directions on August 28 that allowed preparations for the new season to continue. The federation and participating clubs subsequently agreed on September 19 as the revised kickoff date after the initial August 31 start was pushed back.
However, the situation changed on September 18 when the Murang’a High Court issued an order preventing FKF from commencing the league until a promotion and relegation playoff between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United had been conducted and concluded.
“The Murang’a order barred the league from starting without the playoff between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United, while the Kiambu order required Mombasa United to be included as the 18th club without one. Following either order could expose the federation and other stakeholders to legal consequences,” FKF said.
The legal dispute centres on the promotion and relegation status of Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United, as well as disagreements over which FKF regulations should be applied in determining the two clubs' positions.
Mombasa United, which competes in the National Super League, has been pursuing promotion to the top tier, while Kariobangi Sharks remains at the centre of the dispute over the position and whether the two clubs should face off in a playoff.
“The High Court in Murang’a directed that the league could not commence until the playoff between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United was conducted, while the High Court in Kiambu directed FKF to include Mombasa United as the 18th club without a playoff. Proceeding under either directive without resolving the other would expose the federation, clubs, sponsors, players and broadcasters to legal and commercial risks,” FKF said.
The federation said the conflicting court directives had left it facing a difficult legal situation.
“Taken together, these contradictory orders have created an impossible legal situation,” FKF said, adding that proceeding under either position could expose officials, clubs, sponsors, players and broadcasters to legal and commercial risks.
Despite the league dispute, FKF said its wider agenda remains focused on developing youth football, strengthening grassroots programmes, improving coaching and refereeing, and expanding football infrastructure.
The federation pointed to the Junior Starlets' qualification for the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup, the training of more than 1,000 grassroots scouts and plans to establish a technical centre in Machakos as some of its ongoing initiatives.
FKF also highlighted a Ksh1.12 billion title sponsorship deal alongside another commercial agreement, describing the partnerships as important to the development of Kenyan football.
According to the federation, Ksh129.1 million from the sponsorship package will be distributed directly among the 18 clubs, with each team receiving Ksh7.1 million. A further Ksh20 million will be allocated as prize money for the league.
The postponement comes as Kenya prepares to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) alongside Uganda and Tanzania. Tusker captain Abud Omar has warned that a lack of regular competitive matches could affect players' fitness and match sharpness ahead of continental and international assignments.
FKF also called for football disputes to be handled through established internal football mechanisms, warning that third-party intervention has previously led to sanctions against Kenya.
The federation said its immediate priority is to resolve the legal impasse and get the league underway while safeguarding the reforms, commercial partnerships and broader transformation programme it has outlined for Kenyan football.
