The National Assembly has passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, marking a major step towards strengthening Kenya’s legal framework against match-fixing and manipulation of sporting competitions.
The Bill, sponsored by Nominated MP Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, seeks to protect the integrity of Kenyan sports by criminalising practices that compromise fair competition and put athletes who compete honestly at a disadvantage.
For the first time, the proposed amendments provide a comprehensive legal definition of manipulation of a sporting competition. The offence would cover offering, giving or receiving an undue advantage to influence a sporting outcome, conspiring to fix a competition, deliberately underperforming to achieve a predetermined result and using insider information for betting purposes.
The legislation also gives Sports Kenya a stronger investigative role. The agency would be empowered to receive reports of suspected manipulation and conduct investigations in collaboration with other relevant agencies, with investigations expected to be concluded within six months.
The Bill further expands the mandate of the Sports Disputes Tribunal, allowing it to hear appeals arising from decisions made by Sports Kenya in cases involving alleged manipulation of sporting competitions.
Individuals convicted of sports manipulation would face a fine of up to KSh1 million, imprisonment for a term not exceeding one year, or both, according to the Bill.
The proposed law also introduces consequences beyond criminal punishment. Clubs and sporting professionals involved in manipulation could face forfeiture of matches, disqualification from competitions and, in serious cases, lifetime bans from regulated sporting events.
Any financial benefit obtained through manipulation would also be subject to forfeiture with the legislation coming as Kenya seeks to address longstanding concerns over the integrity of sporting competitions.
The country has previously dealt with match-manipulation allegations and disciplinary cases involving football officials. In one notable case, FIFA imposed a lifetime ban on Kenyan referee Otieno Odhiambo after finding him guilty of match manipulation. Such cases have highlighted the vulnerability of sports to attempts to influence results for financial gain.
The new legislation is therefore intended to close gaps in Kenya’s existing legal framework, which currently does not specifically provide a comprehensive criminal offence covering manipulation of sporting competitions. Parliament has noted that sports federations have largely relied on internal disciplinary measures when dealing with such cases.
The Bill’s passage follows its introduction in Parliament in March and subsequent debate in the National Assembly, where lawmakers argued that Kenya needs legislation aligned with international standards on sporting integrity.
With the National Assembly having approved the Bill, the next stage will be consideration by the Senate before the legislative process can be completed.
If enacted, the amendments would give Kenyan authorities a clearer framework for reporting, investigating and punishing sports manipulation while strengthening protections for athletes, clubs and competitions.
For Kenyan sport, the message from Parliament is increasingly clear: sporting success should be determined by preparation, talent and performance, rather than attempts to manipulate competition.
