Kariobangi Sharks players during a past league match/HANDOUT Kariobangi Sharks have moved to the High Court in Milimani, seeking to halt Football Kenya Federation (FKF) disciplinary proceedings against them over their decision to challenge relegation through the ordinary courts.
The club has filed a Notice of Motion under Civil Appeal No. HCTA/E081/2026, naming FKF as the first respondent, with Andrew Leif and Douglas Mokua listed as the second and third respondents.
Sharks want the application certified urgent and heard ex parte before an inter partes hearing. At the centre of the application is a Statement of Claim issued by the FKF Disciplinary Committee on September 1, 2026.
The club wants the court to suspend the proceedings pending the hearing and determination of its application. It is seeking an interim order “staying, suspending and/or barring the continuation, conduct or enforcement of the disciplinary proceedings” initiated through the document.
Sharks’ move follows disciplinary action by FKF over the club’s decision to challenge its relegation through the courts instead of using established sports dispute resolution mechanisms.
The club wants FKF, its Disciplinary Committee, officials, servants and agents restrained from taking any punitive or disciplinary action arising from the proceedings.
Sharks have also questioned the independence of the Disciplinary Committee, arguing that it is appointed and overseen by FKF, which is itself a party to the wider dispute.
The relegation row dates back to last season when Sharks finished 16th and were relegated under the 2025 regulations, which provided for three automatic relegations. The club maintains that the 2019 regulations should apply. Under those rules, the team finishing 16th would have entered a relegation playoff and had an opportunity to retain its SportPesa Premier League status.
The dispute over which regulations should govern relegation has since escalated into a legal battle, contributing to uncertainty over the start of the 2026/27 SportPesa Premier League season. Sharks are particularly seeking protection against sanctions that could affect their participation in football, including what they describe as “the draconian sanction of a ban from taking part in any football-related activity.”
For the inter partes hearing, the club wants the court to stay, suspend or prohibit the disciplinary proceedings, including any sanctions, penalties or adverse determinations.
The application has been filed under Sections 1A, 1B and 3A of the Civil Procedure Act, Articles 48, 50 and 159 of the Constitution, Order 42 Rule 6 and Order 51 Rule 1 of the Civil Procedure Rules, among other provisions of the law.
The High Court application is separate from the substantive dispute over Sharks’ relegation and seeks only to prevent FKF’s disciplinary process from proceeding as the legal battle continues. Further directions on the substantive case and jurisdictional challenges are expected on September 21 and 24.
