Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya has urged the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and all parties involved in the ongoing dispute surrounding the FKF Premier League to find a quick solution, warning that the standoff could affect Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Mvurya has stepped in to help resolve the impasse that has delayed the start of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League season, saying the situation could negatively affect the development of football in Kenya and the country’s preparations for AFCON 2027.
On Wednesday, September 9, 2026, Mvurya chaired a consultative meeting at Talanta Plaza attended by FKF President Hussein Mohammed and chairpersons of clubs participating in the top-flight league.
Following the meeting, Mvurya said the discussions provided an important opportunity to listen to the concerns raised by the clubs and explore possible solutions acceptable to all parties.The Cabinet Secretary urged those involved to put their differences aside and prioritise dialogue and compromise for the good of Kenyan football.
Mvurya warned that continued disagreement could paralyse domestic competitions and undermine long-term efforts to identify and develop football talent in the country.He stressed the importance of having a stable and competitive domestic league, particularly as Kenya prepares to co-host AFCON 2027 alongside Uganda and Tanzania.
“I have urged all parties to rise above their differences and avoid rhetoric that could further jeopardise the league. Instead, they should embrace dialogue, compromise and the collective responsibility we have to safeguard the interests of our players and Kenyan football as we prepare for AFCON PAMOJA 2027,” said Mvurya.
Mvurya further noted that governance and administrative issues should not become a barrier to talent identification and development or deny footballers the opportunity to compete and advance their careers.The current dispute stems from a legal challenge filed by Kariobangi Sharks against FKF’s 2025 promotion and relegation regulations.
Under the regulations, Kariobangi Sharks was automatically relegated, a decision that was later upheld by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT).The SDT ruled that FKF’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had the authority to ratify the regulations without approval from the General Assembly.
However, Kariobangi Sharks challenged the decision in court, arguing that the regulations had been improperly adopted without the approval of the General Assembly.The case is scheduled for hearing on September 21, 2026, with league activities currently on hold pending directions from the court.
The ongoing impasse has raised concerns over its potential impact on players, clubs and, most importantly, Harambee Stars’ preparations for AFCON 2027.
