FKF Premier League 2026/27 start threatened by promotion dispute

The 2026/27 FKF Premier League is in doubt as a dispute over promotion and relegation rules continues. The proposed August 29 start is under pressure, with a key court hearing set for August 25 and the FKF yet to confirm the season date.

The disagreement centres on two sets of FKF regulations. The 2019 rules provide for automatic relegation for the bottom two Premier League teams, while the top two National Super League sides would move up. The 16th-placed top-flight team would then meet the NSL’s third-placed club over two legs for the final place in an 18-team league.

That arrangement would send Bidco United and Sofapaka down, while Migori Youth and 3K would gain automatic promotion. Kariobangi Sharks, who finished 16th, would face Mombasa United in the promotion-relegation play-off.

The 2025 regulations set out a different system, with three automatic relegation places and three NSL promotion places. Applying those rules would relegate Sofapaka, Kariobangi Sharks and Bidco United, and promote Migori Youth, 3K and Mombasa United.

Kariobangi Sharks challenged the decision affecting their top-flight status at the Sports Disputes Tribunal. The tribunal backed the FKF’s use of the 2025 regulations, but the club appealed at the High Court in Murang’a, which suspended that decision. The case is now before the Milimani Civil Court, where it is due to be heard on August 25.

The FKF National Executive Committee, which is responsible for fixing the league schedule, has not made an official announcement. A planned NEC meeting was stopped by a High Court order, while the federation currently has neither an appeals committee nor a disciplinary committee. Both bodies require approval from the General Assembly, which has not met.

The uncertainty also affects Sunday’s planned Super Cup meeting between defending champions Gor Mahia and FKF Cup winners Tusker. FKF president Hussein Mohamed, chief executive Dennis Gicheru and legal representative Frank Ogolla are due to face a contempt of court hearing on August 25 over allegations that court orders restricting preparations for the new season were ignored.