Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President, Hussein Mohammed, has assured stakeholders that the Federation is committed to strengthening the country’s football structures, as it seeks to build the best league in Africa ahead of the 2026/2027 season and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON).
Speaking after a consultative meeting with Kenya Premier League clubs, Mohammed lauded the media for its continued coverage of football activities across all levels, including women and youth leagues, noting that the just concluded 2025/2026 season, had registered significant progress.
He congratulated Gor Mahia for winning the FKF Premier League title and also hailed Kenya Police Bullets for clinching the Women Premier League crown.
“I want to congratulate all the teams that participated in the 2025/2026 season at whatever level and all those that earned promotion to higher leagues across the country,” said Mohammed.
The FKF President noted that one of the Administration’s key achievements in its first season in office, was the introduction of prize money in the top-tier league.
“We have moved from zero prize money to over Sh20 million for the Kenya Premier League, where the winner gets Sh15 million, second place Sh3 million and third place Sh2 million,” he said.
Mohammed described the development as a major milestone, expressing optimism that the league would continue attracting more sponsors and increased investment in future seasons.
He said FKF and league officials had held extensive deliberations on areas requiring improvement, adding that the Federation’s ambition, was to transform the FKF Premier League into the best league on the continent.
“As Kenya, we can do it. We love football and, as a team, we will be able to achieve this feat,” he stated.
The FKF boss acknowledged that preparations for the 2027 AFCON tournament would present challenges, especially regarding stadium availability, as several facilities are expected to undergo renovations.
“There will be issues around stadiums and facilities that we will use next season, but we are working around the clock to identify alternative venues,” he said.
Mohammed also addressed concerns surrounding officiating, match-fixing allegations and league administration disputes that characterised parts of the season.
He revealed that FKF was pushing for tougher legal measures against match manipulation, saying criminalising the vice, would help protect the integrity of the sport.
“We need to make match manipulation and match-fixing very painful and punitive because it is killing the sport,” he said, noting that a related Bill was currently before Parliament for Second Reading.
The Federation, he added, had intensified referee training and accountability measures to improve officiating standards.
“If you compare the beginning of the season and the end, statistically the issues significantly reduced due to increased capacity building and holding referees accountable,” Mohammed observed.
On disputes surrounding league regulations and governance, the FKF President said the Federation was reviewing its rules and procedures to minimise recurrent litigation in football administration.
He acknowledged that some matters relating to the 2019 and 2025 regulations remained before the courts and the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT), but assured stakeholders that clarity would soon be achieved through due process.
“We are proposing revised rules and regulations for 2026 and it is my hope that within the next month or two we will have settled the matter decisively,” he said.
Mohammed further confirmed that FKF had received communication from world football governing body FIFA regarding ongoing issues in Kenyan football.
While declining to discuss details due to active court proceedings, he maintained that the Federation would strictly adhere to the rule of law, FKF statutes and the Constitution.
“We cannot operate as if we are in a jungle. We cannot tolerate impunity,” he stated.
The FKF President called on all football stakeholders, including clubs, sponsors, the media and supporters, to unite for the growth of the game.
“Football unites us. Let us join hands and work together because millions of young people depend on football for their livelihoods,” he said.
Mohammed reiterated that his administration remained committed to transparency, unity and institutional reforms as the country prepares for AFCON 2027.
by Molvin Laventa and Achieng Nicole
