AFC Leopards James Kinyanjui in action with Gor Mahia's Alpha Onyango during a past Mashemeji derby/HANDOUT
Football Kenya Federation’s National Executive Committee (NEC) is expected to decide the fate of the 2026/27 SportPesa Premier League season after fresh consultations with clubs failed to produce a definite starting date.
The NEC is set to meet in the coming days to consider whether the league can finally get underway following the postponement of the opening round amid a dispute over competition regulations.
Mathare United chief executive officer Jectone Obure said clubs discussed the possibility of starting the season but will now have to wait for the federation’s top decision-making organ.
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“We also looked at the possibility of starting the league. There are plans to summon a NEC meeting in the coming days and discuss the matter,” Obure said.
The consultations, led by FKF chief executive officer Dennis Gicheru and Leagues and Competitions head Frank Ogolla, also reviewed challenges from last season and preparations for the new campaign.
Obure described the meeting as routine housekeeping ahead of the new season but acknowledged the difficult position facing the federation.
“The meeting was basically about the normal housekeeping stuff that precedes the beginning of the season,” he said.
The start of the campaign has been delayed by a dispute over promotion and relegation rules, with clubs seeking clarity on whether the 2019 regulations or the revised 2025 rules should apply.
The issue has been further complicated by conflicting directives from the Milimani and Murang’a High Courts.
Promotion and relegation were among the issues discussed, including the proposed composition of the league and whether the traditional relegation play-off should be retained under the revised regulations.
Clubs have also pushed for greater independence in the management of the top flight, including a proposal for a semi-autonomous league structure.
Obure said the NEC must now provide direction before clubs can plan for the resumption of competition.
“We are now waiting to see what the NEC will resolve before we can have a clear way forward,” he said.
September 15 has emerged as the earliest possible start date, although that could depend on the legal status of Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United, who are involved in a court dispute.
“The earliest the league can begin could be September 15 subject to what the NEC will resolve. It's a tricky situation because they will have to decide if they can possibly start without Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United who are involved in a case dispute,” Obure said.
Player registration, including the new provision allowing top-flight clubs to register up to seven foreign players, was also discussed.
However, clubs will have to wait for the NEC’s decision before a revised calendar and fixtures can be confirmed.
“Once the NEC meets and makes a decision, we will know when and how the league can start,” Obure said.
This version makes the NEC decision the news peg, while keeping the legal and regulatory disputes as the reasons behind the delay.
