FKF Explains Postponement Of 2026/27 Premier League Season Amid Conflicting Court Orders

Story by Violet Kerubo & Monyonge O’kebati

The Football Kenya Federation led by their president Hussein Mohamed at Weston hotel today on Monday 21st has explained the postponement of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season, attributing the delay to conflicting court orders issued on the eve of the scheduled kickoff.
The league had been scheduled to kick off on September 19, 2026, but FKF says it was forced to postpone the start after receiving different directives from the courts concerning the composition of the league and the participation of Mombasa United.
Addressing the issue, FKF said the current administration took office with a commitment to establish what it described as a sustainable and professional football ecosystem in the country.
The federation highlighted several initiatives it says have been undertaken over the past year, including investment in youth development, grassroots scouting, women’s football, coaching, refereeing and football infrastructure.
FKF says more than 1,000 grassroots scouts have been deployed across the country as part of efforts to identify and develop young talent.
The federation also pointed to Kenya’s participation and performance in regional and international youth competitions, including the Under-17 women’s team qualifying for its second FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup.
The Under-15 girls’ team also secured a silver medal at the recently concluded CECAFA Schools Championships, while the Under-15 boys are preparing for the Under-15 World Cup Festival scheduled for October.
The federation further highlighted Kenya’s hosting of the inaugural FIFA Women’s Series, saying the country was among only four nations globally selected to host the event.
FKF is also embarking on the construction of a technical centre in Machakos, which the federation says will form part of its long-term football infrastructure development strategy.
On women’s football, FKF says its comprehensive women’s football strategy has been completed and is awaiting its official launch.
The federation says it is also continuing with coaching and capacity-building programmes aligned with CAF coaching conventions, with structured pathways towards CAF A coaching qualifications.
Refereeing development and anti-doping sensitisation programmes are also being implemented in partnership with the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya.
FKF says it has also strengthened its institutional partnerships, including initiatives involving the Kenya Secondary School Sports Association and Kabarak University to integrate youth sports and education.
The federation says its engagement with county governments through the Council of Governors is another initiative aimed at strengthening grassroots football across the country.
On the welfare of match officials, FKF says referees have entered the new season without outstanding financial arrears from the previous campaign.
The federation further says it is working to improve the financial management and institutional standing of FKF, including the engagement of KPMG as part of its financial management and accountability efforts.
FKF says it is also undertaking renovations at its headquarters at Kadana House, describing the project as part of efforts to restore the dignity of the institution and provide staff with a safer and more conducive working environment.
The federation says it has continued supporting its branches with equipment, resources and capacity-building programmes, insisting that football activities are continuing across the country despite the dispute surrounding the top-tier league.
Turning specifically to the FKF Premier League, the federation says the 2026/27 season was expected to be one of the most commercially significant seasons in Kenyan football.
FKF says the league had secured a reported Sh1.1 billion sponsorship deal with SportPesa, alongside the Azam broadcasting partnership.
The federation says these commercial arrangements were expected to translate into approximately Sh129 million to Sh135 million in grants for the participating clubs, with each club expected to receive about Sh7.1 million during the season.
A further Sh20 million prize pool had also been established for the league.
FKF says preparations for the new season were therefore at an advanced stage, with clubs, sponsors, broadcasters and fans all preparing for the September 19 kickoff.
However, according to the federation, the situation changed on the eve of the scheduled opening.
FKF says it was served with conflicting court orders.
The federation says the High Court in Murang’a issued an order restraining FKF from commencing the Premier League and FKF Shield competitions.
This followed a dispute surrounding the promotion and relegation of clubs, including the playoff involving Mombasa United and Darwadishas.
FKF says that while it was dealing with the Murang’a order, another directive was issued by the High Court in Kiambu on September 19.
According to FKF, the Kiambu court directed the federation to publish revised fixtures immediately and include Mombasa United as the 15th club in the Premier League.
The federation says the two orders presented a legal dilemma because implementing one order could potentially conflict with the other.
FKF therefore decided to postpone the league kickoff rather than expose the federation, clubs, players, sponsors, broadcasters and other stakeholders to possible legal and commercial consequences.
The federation has maintained that the decision was made out of respect for the judicial process and the rule of law.
FKF says it is now consulting its legal advisers, affected clubs and other stakeholders to find a lawful and practical solution.
Among the options being explored is an expedited playoff or another mutually agreed arrangement that would comply with the court orders and FKF regulations.
The federation has also provided the history of the dispute, saying the matter was initially heard before the Sports Disputes Tribunal.
According to FKF, the Tribunal made a determination regarding the federation’s promotion and relegation decisions and found that FKF had acted within its regulations.
The matter was subsequently appealed before the High Court, where FKF says a judgment on the appeal is still awaited.
The federation says additional court orders issued during the process have since complicated the implementation of the league structure.
FKF maintains that it will continue respecting the judicial process as it seeks clarity on the orders and the eventual composition of the league.
The federation has meanwhile rejected the suggestion that football activities have stopped in the country.
It says football continues at grassroots, youth, women’s and other levels, while efforts to strengthen local branches and make competitions more competitive continue.
The postponement of the Premier League has nevertheless created uncertainty for clubs, players, sponsors and supporters who were preparing for the new campaign.
FKF says its immediate priority is to resolve the legal impasse and establish a clear and lawful framework under which the 2026/27 season can begin.
The federation has assured stakeholders that consultations are ongoing and says it remains committed to protecting the interests of clubs, players, officials, sponsors, broadcasters and football fans as it works towards resolving the dispute.