Tribunal sets May hearing as MSFK appeal looms in governance dispute

The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has set May 12, 2026, as the hearing date in the ongoing case between the East African Motor Sports Club (EAMSC) and the Motor Sports Federation of Kenya (MSFK), even as the federation signals plans to challenge a recent ruling at the High Court.

Lawyer Kevin McCourt, representing both MSFK and Mombasa Motor Club (MMC), informed the Tribunal that his clients have instructions to appeal the ruling delivered on March 25, 2026.

However, the Tribunal clarified that the intention to appeal does not automatically halt proceedings unless a formal court order is issued.

As a result, preparations for the May hearing will continue unless the High Court intervenes.

The latest development follows a landmark ruling by the Tribunal that significantly reshaped the legal standing of motorsports bodies in Kenya and reinforced regulatory oversight across the sector.

In its March 25 decision in Case No. SDTSC E017 of 2025, the Tribunal rejected attempts by MSFK to avoid its jurisdiction by citing its registration as a company limited by guarantee.

Evidence presented showed that the federation has been operating both as a corporate entity and as a national sports governing body.

The Tribunal ruled that such dual status cannot be used as a shield against accountability, affirming that MSFK remains subject to sports laws and the authority of the Tribunal regardless of its legal structure.

The ruling also placed Mombasa Motor Club under scrutiny after it argued that its registration under the Societies Act exempted it from oversight.

The Tribunal dismissed this claim, emphasising that all sports organisations must comply with national sports governance frameworks irrespective of how they are registered.

In a major boost to the petitioners, the Tribunal upheld the legal standing of EAMSC, dismissing arguments that the club lacked the authority to bring the case.

The decision affirmed the right of stakeholders within the motorsports ecosystem to challenge the actions of governing bodies.

The Tribunal further escalated the dispute by directing that concerns surrounding the MSFK elections be referred to the Sports Registrar.

This followed findings that the federation’s structure, alongside affiliations with entities not properly registered as sports organisations, raises questions about the legitimacy of its electoral processes.

The case has drawn widespread attention within the motorsports community, particularly in motocross, where concerns over governance, transparency, and fairness have persisted for years.

With the Sports Registrar now expected to step in, the sector could face compliance audits, structural reforms, and possible sanctions against non-compliant entities.

The Tribunal’s ruling has also set a broader precedent across Kenyan sport, signalling that organisations can no longer rely on legal technicalities or dual registration to evade accountability.

As the matter heads toward a full hearing in May, attention will now turn to whether MSFK secures a High Court order to pause proceedings—or faces a decisive Tribunal process that could further redefine the governance of motorsports in Kenya.