Kenya MPs pass 2026 Sports Bill criminalising match-fixing in football

Kenya’s National Assembly has passed the 2026 Sports (Amendment) Bill, bringing match-fixing closer to becoming a criminal offence. The proposed penalties include a fine of up to Sh1 million, a jail term of up to one year, or both.

The Bill was sponsored by nominated MP Irene Nyakerario Mayaka and is intended to protect the fairness and credibility of sporting competitions. It targets conduct that manipulates results and compromises the integrity of sport.

The measure is not yet law. It must be assented to by President William Ruto before the proposed sanctions can take effect. Its passage has nevertheless offered relief to a Kenyan football sector that has faced repeated concerns over manipulation.

Those concerns have affected the FKF Premier League. In 2021, Football Kenya Federation imposed indefinite suspensions on 15 players connected to Zoo Kericho FC after a match-fixing scandal involving the club. Zoo FC was later removed from the top flight, while five leading league referees were suspended in July of the same year over allegations linked to manipulated results.

Kenya goalkeeper Patrick Matasi was provisionally barred from all football activity in March 2025 as FKF investigated match-manipulation allegations. The inquiry followed the publication of an online video that appeared to show the goalkeeper agreeing to influence a game’s outcome.

The issue also remained present during the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season, when several coaches alleged that matches had been manipulated. If enacted, the new legislation would add criminal penalties to the sporting sanctions already available for conduct that damages confidence in Kenyan competitions and threatens the careers of players who compete fairly.