A fresh dispute has erupted within the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) over the promotion and relegation format for the 2025/26 season, exposing divisions between the federation’s secretariat and its Leagues and Competitions Committee (LCC).
The disagreement centres on whether the SportPesa Premier League’s third-bottom club should participate in a relegation-promotion playoff or face automatic relegation. The controversy came to the fore after Kariobangi Sharks finished 16th in the 18-team league and sought clarification from FKF regarding their status for next season.
In a letter addressed to FKF, Kariobangi Sharks chief executive officer Lynda Ambiyo said the club required guidance on the next step following the conclusion of the season. “Our last competitive match of the season was played on May 31, 2026, against Sofapaka FC,” Ambiyo wrote, noting that the club had finished in a position traditionally associated with a playoff.
The club further cited Rule 2.9.1 of the FKF Rules and Regulations, which provides that the third-lowest placed team in the top-tier league should enter a playoff competition against a National Super League side. “We note, pursuant to Rule 2.9.1 of the FKF Rules and Regulations, that at the end of the season, the third lowest placed club in the Top Tier League shall enter into a play-off competition,” Ambiyo stated.
However, FKF acting General Secretary and CEO Dennis Gicheru responded by maintaining that play-offs had been abolished. “The Committee abolished the KPL/NSL Relegation/Promotion Play-offs,” Gicheru said in his response. He added that the federation had adopted a new system under which the bottom three FKF Premier League clubs would be relegated automatically while the top three National Super League sides would earn direct promotion.
“The bottom three Premier League clubs will be relegated automatically, while the top three NSL sides shall earn direct promotion,” Gicheru wrote. The position taken by the secretariat was immediately challenged by FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee chairman Peter Kamau Chege, who questioned the legality of the directive.
Chege said the matter had never been conclusively resolved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) and therefore could not be communicated as an official federation position. “This matter requires conclusive deliberation and formal resolution by the National Executive Committee before any such communication,” Chege wrote.
According to Chege, discussions on promotion, relegation and playoffs were held during a NEC meeting in September 2025 but were not finalised due to constitutional concerns raised by members.
“The matter was not conclusively determined by the NEC, owing to significant constitutional concerns raised by members,” he said. Chege further claimed that the minutes of the September 19, 2025 NEC meeting had neither been circulated for confirmation nor formally adopted. “The minutes of the 19th September 2025 NEC meeting were neither circulated to members for confirmation nor adopted,” he said.
As the disagreement intensified, Kariobangi Sharks requested confirmation of playoff dates to allow the club to plan for the post-season. The club asked FKF to provide “the confirmed or anticipated dates on which the play-off matches (first and second legs) are scheduled to be played” to facilitate logistical preparations. Ambiyo stressed that clear communication was necessary “to enable Kariobangi Sharks FC to make timely and adequate preparations for the forthcoming play-off.”
But Gicheru maintained there would be no playoff matches and urged the club to abandon any such plans. “We wish to remind you that there shall be no end-of-season play-offs,” he stated.
He defended the federation’s position, saying the decision was based on NEC resolutions that take effect immediately after being passed. “It is in line with the NEC resolutions, which take effect immediately they are passed,” Gicheru said.
Chege has now called for an urgent NEC meeting to resolve the impasse and prevent potential legal disputes involving affected clubs. He urged federation officials to exercise caution and respect constitutional procedures. “There is a need for prudence, objectivity, and strict adherence to the FKF Constitution and Statutes in addressing this matter,” Chege said.
The LCC chairman further recommended that “the NEC be convened urgently to deliberate on the issues of promotion, relegation, and play-offs, and to arrive at a unified, legally binding position.”
With the new season approaching, the standoff has left clubs uncertain about the structure of promotion and relegation, raising fresh questions about governance and decision-making within FKF.
