Gor Mahia forward Samuel Kapen (left) and Shabana defender James Mazembe in action last season. [SPL Media]
Though Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has announced that the 2026-2027 SportPesa Premier League will start tomorrow, the decision has opened a fresh legal and administrative storm just days after the High Court cleared the way for the competition.
The High Court in Murang’a ruled on Friday that FKF can proceed with the league under its 2019 Rules and Regulations, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty over the new season.
But the ruling has not settled everything.
At least 12 Premier League clubs yesterday told FKF president Hussein Mohammed they will not honour Monday’s kick-off until the federation holds a proper meeting with them and addresses outstanding issues.
Sports lawyer Ken Ochieng has also questioned the rush to start the league barely days after the court ruling, warning that FKF still has important work to do before the first whistle.
Ochieng says the federation must first put the necessary committees in place, including an appeals committee that would deal with disputes arising during the season.
“There is a lot that needs to be done by the National Executive Committee (NEC) before the league kicks off. You cannot just wake up and say the league is starting when there are no proper structures to deal with disputes,” said Ochieng.