FKF Court Cases Timeline: How the 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League Was Delayed

The 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League season was delayed by more than a month because of a series of court cases over promotion and relegation. This timeline explains what happened, from the disputed rule change to the playoff that finally settled the last place in the league.

Background: the 2025 rule change

For the 2025/26 season, FKF introduced new regulations under which the bottom three Premier League clubs were relegated automatically and the top three National Super League (NSL) clubs promoted. Under the older 2019 regulations, only the bottom two went down automatically, while the 16th-placed side faced the third-placed NSL team in a playoff.

Kariobangi Sharks finished 16th in 2025/26, and Mombasa United finished third in the NSL. That made the choice of rulebook decisive for both clubs.

Timeline of the court battle

10 August 2026: Sports Disputes Tribunal rules

The Sports Disputes Tribunal dismissed Sharks' challenge to their relegation, saying the club had not exhausted FKF's internal dispute processes. Sharks, Sofapaka and Bidco United were relegated, and Migori Youth, 3K FC and Mombasa United were promoted.

Late August 2026: High Court orders stop the season

Sharks took the matter to the High Court. A status quo order from the Milimani High Court blocked the season from starting, and FKF postponed the opening round scheduled for 29 August to 2 September. The High Court in Murang'a later ruled that the season should be run under the 2019 regulations.

September 2026: conflicting orders

A ruling from the High Court in Kiambu directed FKF to include Mombasa United as the 18th team, while the Murang'a court directed that the season should not begin until a playoff between Sharks and Mombasa United had been played. The conflicting orders left clubs and fans waiting for clarity.

Late September 2026: agreement on a playoff

FKF brokered a deal. Mombasa United dropped their demand for automatic promotion, Sharks accepted that the coastal side could use newly registered players, and both clubs agreed to a two-legged playoff on 1 and 6 October.

1 and 6 October 2026: the playoff

Mombasa United won the first leg 2-1 in Mombasa. The second leg at Ulinzi Sports Complex was abandoned in the 64th minute after a pitch invasion and an attack on the referee, with Sharks leading 2-1 on the night.

9 October 2026: the verdict and kick-off

The FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee ruled that Sharks forfeited the second leg and awarded Mombasa United a 2-0 win, confirming their promotion. The same day, the 2026/27 season kicked off with Nairobi United against KCB.

What the dispute means for Kenyan football

The case exposed weaknesses in how football rules are made and challenged in Kenya. Sharks argued the 2025 rules were adopted without proper consultation, while FKF lacked fully operational disciplinary and appeals bodies to settle disputes internally. Clubs lost weeks of revenue, players lost match fitness, and sponsors faced uncertainty.

Clear regulations agreed well before each season, and working internal dispute bodies, would help avoid a repeat.

Frequently asked questions

Why was the 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League delayed?

The start was delayed by court cases over whether the 2025 or 2019 promotion and relegation rules should apply, mainly involving Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United.

When did the season finally start?

The season kicked off on 9 October 2026.