MILIMANI, August, 2026 – The kick-off of the 2026/27 SportPesa Kenya Premier League season hangs in the balance after the High Court in Milimani declined to lift orders blocking its commencement.
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) had filed an urgent application seeking to have the orders vacated to allow the league to start this Saturday, but the court declined, further delaying the season.
The case was filed by Kariobangi Sharks, who are challenging the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) decision that upheld FKF’s 2025 promotion and relegation rules. The rules saw Sharks automatically relegated from the top flight after finishing 16th last season.
FKF is contesting the High Court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter, arguing that any appeal against an SDT decision should be filed at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland.
In fresh directions issued on Monday, Lady Justice Janet Mulwa ordered both parties to maintain the status quo as of August 10, 2026 – the date the SDT rendered its decision. Since the new KPL season had not started by then, the order effectively preserves a freeze on the league.
Why It Matters: Clash of Two Regulations
The stalemate arose from conflicting FKF regulations of 2019 and 2025. According to 2019 regulation,the bottom two Premier League teams are automatically relegated, while the top two National Super League (NSL) sides earn automatic promotion . The third-placed NSL team faces the 16th-placed KPL side in a two-legged playoff.
Bidco United and Sofapaka would be relegated, while Muhoroni Youth and 3K would secure automatic promotion under the framework,while Mombasa United, who finished third in the NSL, would face Kariobangi Sharks in the playoff.
The 2025 FKF regulations,however, states that the bottom three KPL teams are automatically relegated and the top three NSL teams automatically promoted, with no playoff.
The court’s decision raises fresh uncertainty for clubs, players, sponsors and broadcasters, with pre-season preparations, player contracts and commercial deals now in limbo.
FKF, clubs and fans will have to wait longer, as the matter will return to court on September 21, 2026, for directions on FKF’s Preliminary Objection challenging jurisdiction and Sharks’ main application.
