Kenyan football has been caught in a prolonged dispute over the start and composition of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League, with conflicting court orders and disagreements over promotion and relegation rules forcing the new season to be delayed. The situation, which has affected clubs, players, coaches, sponsors and supporters, has now taken a significant step toward resolution after Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United agreed to settle the final Premier League position through a two-legged playoff.
The dispute centres on which Football Kenya Federation regulations should govern promotion and relegation. Under the 2019 framework, the team finishing 16th in the Premier League would play a promotion-relegation playoff against the third-placed National Super League side. The revised 2025 framework, however, provided for three automatic relegations and three direct promotions, removing the playoff system. Kariobangi Sharks finished 16th in the Premier League, while Mombasa United finished third in the NSL, placing the two clubs at the centre of the dispute.
The disagreement eventually moved into the courts, producing conflicting directions that complicated FKF’s efforts to begin the new campaign. A Murang’a High Court order required a playoff between Sharks and Mombasa United before the league could proceed, while a separate Kiambu High Court order directed FKF to include Mombasa United as the 18th team. FKF President Hussein Mohammed said the conflicting orders created a difficult legal situation for the federation because acting on one order could expose it to consequences under another.
The uncertainty forced FKF to postpone the planned September 19 league opening. The federation had previously announced that the season would begin after an August 28 court ruling allowed it to proceed under the 2019 regulations, but subsequent court developments prevented the scheduled kickoff. The delay also affected the National Super League and created uncertainty for clubs that had already completed preparations, recruited players and planned their budgets around the new season.
Meanwhile, FKF moved toward mediation rather than allowing the dispute to continue indefinitely through the courts. Following talks involving the federation, Sharks and Mombasa United on September 24, the clubs agreed to play the promotion-relegation playoff. Mombasa United will host the first leg in Mombasa on October 1, with Sharks hosting the return leg in Nairobi on October 6. Both teams have also been allowed to use their newly registered players in the playoff.
The agreement represents concessions from both sides. Mombasa United have put aside their demand for automatic promotion despite finishing third in the NSL, while Sharks have accepted the playoff route instead of continuing to challenge their relegation through the courts. Mombasa have reportedly recruited more than 15 players in preparation for Premier League football, meaning the playoff could determine whether that new squad competes in the top flight or returns to the NSL.
Sharks chairman Robert Maoga has also indicated that his club will not return to court over the playoff arrangement. He said the club’s priority is to have football return to the pitch and stated that if Sharks lose the playoff, they will accept relegation and compete in the NSL.
However, the wider crisis has not completely disappeared. FKF National Executive Committee members have called for an urgent meeting to address the delayed season, the federation’s judicial bodies and the appointment of a lawful Acting General Secretary/CEO. They have argued that clubs and other stakeholders need certainty over the competition calendar, functioning institutions and clear rules.
The dispute has also raised concerns about the wider impact on Kenyan football, particularly with Kenya preparing to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations with Uganda and Tanzania. Police FC technical director Bashatir warned that prolonged uncertainty could affect players, supporters and sponsor confidence, while FKF has faced pressure to find a solution that allows domestic competitions to proceed.
For now, the Sharks–Mombasa United playoff offers a route toward determining the final Premier League position. The first leg in Mombasa on October 1 and the return match in Nairobi on October 6 will determine which club takes the contested top-flight place. Beyond that battle, FKF still faces the task of restoring a clear and stable competition calendar across the country’s football pyramid.
