The Federation of Kenya Football (FKF) and Kenya Premier League (KPL) 2026-2027 season matches should begin without the relegation of Kariobangi Sharks Football Club (KSFC).
In a clarification by Milimani High Court Judge Janet Mulwa, FKF and KPL were allowed to kick off the matches without filling the last position before the determination of the appeal challenging a ruling by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT), listed for hearing on September 21, 2026.
Justice Mulwa, in her ruling, said that although a status quo order has been issued, it does not amount to an order stopping the commencement of the 2026-2027 league matches.
On Friday, August 28, 2026, Murang’a High Court Judge Dorah Chepkwony allowed the 2026-2027 FKF-KPL league matches to start without relegating KSFC and Mombasa United Football Club (MUFC).
However, on Monday, August 31, 2026, FKF, through lawyer Charles Njenga, returned to court before Judge Mulwa seeking clarification on whether the status quo means that the 2026-2027 league matches should stop due to a status quo order given on August 25, 2026.
In the court case pending at the Milimani High Court, the issue in contention is that Kariobangi Sharks would be relegated to the National Super League (NSL) as directed by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) in a decision rendered on August 10, 2026.
Justice Janet Mulwa clarified that the last position should only be sealed after the conclusion of the case on September 21, 2026.
KSFC had sought court orders that it should not be relegated until the promotion play-off matches are played between it and Mombasa United Football Club.
On August 28, 2026, the High Court sitting in Murang’a allowed the 2026-2027 football season to commence under the 2019 rules.
And on August 31, 2026, Justice Janet Mulwa ordered a status quo to await the outcome of an appeal challenging the decision of the SDT rendered on August 10, 2026.
Lady Justice Janet Mulwa said the kick-off matches may begin in the 2026-2027 league pending determination of the appeal by the SDT on September 21, 2026.
She gave the order following an application by FKF filed under a certificate of urgency dated August 27, 2026, by lawyer Charles Njenga, seeking a clarification “on the court orders issued on August 25, 2026, particularly on the status quo order.”
In that case before the SDT, Kariobangi Sharks Football Club had sued FKF.
In her explanation on August 31, 2026, the judge said: “The order cannot be interpreted singly but upon the context of the entire SDT’s decision rendered on August 10, 2026.”
Explained Justice Mulwa: “The status quo order, in clear, simple and plain language, therefore means the situation obtaining on the ground prior to the decision of the tribunal rendered on August 10, 2026, and the disposal of the motion shall remain as it was then, pending further directions on the disposal of the motion on September 21, 2026.”
She further stated that her clarification is not a fresh injunction, nor a fresh order, but is meant to preserve in the interim the subject of the appeal.
Judge Mulwa required all the parties to comply.
Therefore, no matches shall begin pending the determination of the appeal on September 21, 2026.
In a decision rendered on Friday evening, August 28, 2026, Justice Dorah Chepkwony ordered the FKF and KPL season for 2026-2027 to kick off the matches as scheduled “but under the 2019 rules since the 2025 rules are still under challenge and contested in several cases.”
Justice Chepkwony said the court is set to determine the valid rules which will be followed after a “full hearing of the cases.”
Following this decision, FKF, which was represented in the case by lawyer Charles Njenga, will therefore start the leagues without the participation of either Kariobangi Sharks FC or Mombasa United FC pending the full determination of a case pending at the High Court.
“Having heard the parties and presentation by FKF lawyer Charles Njenga, this court establishes the dire need for the league matches for 2026-2027 to kick off as scheduled,” ruled Justice Chepkwony, sitting at the Murang’a High Court.
Mr Njenga told the judge that at the end of the 2025-2026 season, FKF announced under the applicable 2025 rules governing football in Kenya that Kariobangi Sharks Football Club, being the 16th-placed team in the season’s final standings, stood relegated without the mandatory play-off, as provided for previously under the 2019 rules.
Under the 2019 rules, it was provided for a second play-off between the 16th-placed KPL team and the third-placed NSL team.
The judge heard that, under the 2019 rules, the winner would then participate in the Kenya Premier League.
Mr Njenga submitted that the decision by FKF triggered two suits (cases) challenging it.
The judge heard that the first case was filed by Kariobangi Sharks FC against FKF before the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT).
In a ruling by the SDT, interim orders were granted prohibiting FKF from commencing the 2026-2027 season leagues without first undertaking a mandatory play-off.
Justice Chepkwony was told by Mr Njenga that the case was heard and, in a judgement delivered on August 10, 2026, the SDT dismissed the case by Kariobangi Sharks FC and allowed FKF to continue with the league.
Mr Njenga told the court that the SDT decision was appealed against before the Milimani High Court and an interim order of stay was issued on August 14, 2026.
FKF has since appealed against the interim order and the matter has been listed for hearing on September 21, 2026.
Mr Njenga informed the judge that the second case was filed by a sports enthusiast, Evans Nduta, at the Murang’a High Court challenging the validity of the 2025 rules.
The High Court on June 12, 2026, issued interim orders of stay restraining FKF from commencing the 2026-2027 league until the case by the enthusiast is heard and determined.
When FKF published the league calendar on July 19, 2026, Evans went back to court and cited FKF president Hussein Mohamed, Acting General Secretary Dennis Gicheru and league manager Frank Ogolla for alleged contempt of court.
The top FKF officials have since challenged the contempt proceedings, claiming they are not in contempt of court.
In court filings by the FKF president, Mr Njenga is asking the court to set aside the interim orders granted in the Evans case prohibiting the soccer body from commencing the league matches.
“That Hussein Mohamed, Dennis Gicheru and Frank Ogolla did not act in contempt of court in announcing the calendar dates proposed for the new league season 2026-2027,” Njenga states in the court filings.
The judge heard from Njenga that the contentious issue on the rules which are applicable in the FKF/KPL leagues between the 2019 and 2025 rules is yet to be determined in the Murang’a High Court case.
Njenga urged the judge to allow the season’s league matches to kick off under the 2019 rules pending the outcome of the valid rules case.
Following the decision pronounced by Justice Chepkwony, the league matches now kick off from the week beginning August 31, 2026.
