Kariobangi Sharks head coach William Muluya engages players during a past league match/HANDOUT The High Court has declined to stop the 2026/27 SportPesa League season from kicking off this Saturday after rejecting an application by Kariobangi Sharks seeking interim orders to halt the competition.
Lady Justice Janet Mulwa, sitting at the Milimani High Court in Nairobi, declined to issue ex parte orders stopping the Football Kenya Federation from proceeding with the scheduled fixtures.
The decision was made in Case Number HCTA/E081/2026, in which Kariobangi Sharks FC have sued the Football Kenya Federation, Andrew Leif and two other parties. The club filed an urgent Notice of Motion on Wednesday, September 16, prompting the court to consider the application ahead of the league's scheduled return.
In her directions, Justice Mulwa certified the application as urgent and ordered that it be served on the respondents within 24 hours. "This matter coming up on 16/9/2026 for directions on the Notice of Motion of an even date," the judge stated.
However, despite granting the application an expedited hearing, the judge declined to issue temporary orders stopping the league before the respondents had been heard. "That I decline to issue an ex parte order in the current application," the order reads.
The decision clears the immediate legal hurdle facing the FKF and allows the federation to proceed with the opening weekend fixtures as the wider dispute continues before the court.
Justice Mulwa directed the parties to return to court on Monday, September 21, when the court will give directions on several pending applications in the case.
"That parties are directed to return to court on 21/9/2026 for directions on progression of all pending applications dated 13/8/2026, 24/8/2026, 27/8/2026, 4/9/2026, 7/9/2026 and the current application dated 16/9/2026," she directed. The applications have accumulated as the legal dispute over the running of the league has continued over the past month.
The order was issued under the seal of the High Court on Wednesday, September 16, with the judge cautioning the parties against disobeying or failing to comply with the court's directions. "Take notice that any disobedience or non-observance of the order of the court served herewith will result in penal consequences to you and any other person(s) disobeying and not observing the same," the court warned.
The ruling comes as FKF and clubs prepare for the start of the new SportPesa League season on Saturday, September 19, bringing temporary relief to plans for the opening weekend while the court case remains active.
