Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) Vice President McDonald Mariga has called on football stakeholders to end their governance disputes and prioritise the resumption of the 2026/27 league season ahead of Kenya’s hosting of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mariga, a former Harambee Stars captain, expressed concern over the continued uncertainty surrounding the domestic football calendar, warning that prolonged institutional disagreements could undermine preparations for a crucial period in Kenyan football.
In a statement on Monday, August 31, obtained by Vantage Ke, Mariga urged the FKF leadership, National Executive Committee (NEC), clubs, leagues, players and other football institutions to embrace dialogue and strictly follow the FKF Constitution and applicable regulations.
“Football is about competition, passion, opportunity and unity. It should bring us together, not keep us permanently divided in disputes over governance, interpretation of regulations and institutional authority,” Mariga stated.
The FKF Vice President's intervention comes as uncertainty continues to surround the commencement of the 2026/27 league season, with recent court directions providing clarity on the application of the FKF 2019 Rules and Regulations.
According to Mariga, the court directions have clarified the requirements for starting the new season, including the mandatory play-off provided for under the regulations.
He argued that the legal clarity should allow football stakeholders to put their differences aside and work towards resolving the impasse. “This clarity should now provide an opportunity for all parties to step back, respect the decisions of the courts and, most importantly, work together towards an orderly and lawful resolution,” he stated.
Mariga warned that the continued uncertainty comes at a particularly sensitive time, given Kenya’s preparations to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
He noted that clubs require certainty to plan their seasons, while players need regular competitive football to remain active and prepare for national team assignments.
The former international maintained that the dispute should not be framed as a contest between competing factions, insisting that the wider interests of Kenyan football must take precedence. “The issue before us should not be about who wins and who loses. Kenyan football must win,” Mariga stated.
He called for disagreements within the football administration to be handled through mechanisms established under the FKF Constitution rather than through prolonged disputes and litigation.
Mariga also cautioned against allowing individual interests or factions to undermine the authority of the federation's constitutional structures. “The FKF Constitution is our common foundation. No individual, office, faction or interest should place itself above it,” he stated.
He further stressed the need to ensure that the administrative and governance structures responsible for running domestic competitions are properly constituted and operational before the new season begins.
According to Mariga, restarting the league without resolving the underlying governance questions would only create further uncertainty for clubs that have already invested heavily in preparing for the season.
With Kenya preparing to welcome Africa for AFCON 2027, Mariga said the current crisis presented an opportunity for the country's football leadership to demonstrate maturity and restore confidence in the sport. “I have spent my life in football. I know what the game means to our players, clubs, coaches, supporters and the millions of young Kenyans who dream of one day representing their country,” he stated.
Mariga concluded by urging all sides to put institutional stability ahead of personal or factional interests and work towards getting domestic football back on the pitch. But barely hours after his statement, the Milimani High Court delivered a ruling that has further complicated the uncertainty over the start of the 2026/27 league season. Justice Janet Mulwa ordered that the position that existed before the Sports Disputes Tribunal's August 10 ruling should remain unchanged until the court issues further directions on September 21.
The order effectively prevents the top-flight league from commencing for now, as the new season had not started when the Tribunal made its decision. This means stakeholders will have to await additional directions from the court, with parties that breach the order potentially facing contempt proceedings.
What Led to the Postponement
FKF had earlier postponed all Round One fixtures of the 2026/27 Kenya Premier League season, which were initially scheduled to take place between August 31 and September 2. The postponement followed escalating disagreements between club chairmen and FKF over the administration and structure of the new season.
FKF maintained that the suspension was necessary to facilitate urgent consultations involving the federation, participating clubs and league sponsors in an effort to resolve the impasse.
The situation has been further complicated by ongoing legal disputes surrounding Kariobangi Sharks' relegation, as well as broader questions concerning promotion and relegation regulations.
A stakeholders' meeting that was expected to help address the disputes has since been rescheduled to September 2, adding another layer of uncertainty to the return of domestic football.
