As the FKF Women’s Premier League enters a decisive stretch, financial turmoil continues to cast a long shadow over Kisumu All Starlets’ campaign, with a third walkover of the season edging them closer to relegation.
The Juma Said-coached side conceded once again, this time handing defending champions Kenya Police Bullets maximum points without a ball being kicked. Their no-show for the scheduled clash at Kenya Police Sacco on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, effectively gifted Police Bullets three points and two goals.
The result not only deepened Kisumu’s woes at the foot of the table but also propelled the law enforcers to the summit with 40 points, opening a three-point cushion over second-placed Trinity Starlets.
As the ripple effect of the forfeiture spread across the standings, Ulinzi Starlets, Vihiga Queens and Zetech Sparks continued to consolidate their positions in the top five with 35, 30 and 28 points respectively. §The outcome further tightened the race for continental and podium places, even as the relegation battle took a grim turn.
For Kisumu, the latest forfeiture — following earlier concessions against Ulinzi Starlets and Zetech Sparks — leaves them rooted at the bottom in 12th place with just four points.
They are now staring at automatic relegation in line with Football Kenya Federation competition rules that penalise repeated no-shows. Head coach Juma Said, speaking in the wake of the latest setback, admitted the club’s struggles have gone beyond the pitch, attributing their impending drop to persistent financial strain that has crippled operations throughout the season.
“The relegation is due to financial constraints. We have been unable to honour our away matches because we can’t meet travel costs, pay players’ allowances or even cover meals,” said Said, his remarks reflecting the broader challenges facing grassroots women’s football structures.
As the league enters its defining phase, the contrast is becoming increasingly stark — a tightening title race at the top and a financially driven collapse at the bottom — underlining the widening gap that continues to define the FKF Women’s Premier League landscape.
With their fate all but sealed, Kisumu are now bracing for life in the FKF Women’s National Super League, as they begin to confront the difficult task of rebuilding both structurally and financially.
