The uncertainty surrounding the start of the 2026/27 football season has deepened after members of the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) National Executive Committee (NEC) called for immediate action to resolve the federation’s governance crisis and restore stability to Kenyan football.
In a press statement, the NEC members said the current impasse was affecting the commencement of the new season, the functioning of the federation, and confidence among clubs, players, coaches, officials, sponsors, and other stakeholders.
The NEC members argued that the situation could not be resolved through repeated public statements and called for what they described as “practical and immediate solutions capable of moving Kenyan football forward.”
At the centre of the dispute is the delayed commencement of the 2026/27 season and the relationship between FKF’s leadership structures and ongoing court proceedings.
The NEC members said the federation must comply with existing court directives while also taking responsibility for resolving matters within its constitutional framework.
They rejected calls for the Judiciary to stay away from football matters, noting that FKF itself had previously taken football disputes to ordinary courts. The statement cited the Nairobi United FC and Gor Mahia FC matter as an example, arguing that the federation must apply the same standards to itself and its stakeholders.
“The immediate responsibility is for FKF to do the right thing within the law, comply with existing court directives, and restore certainty to the football calendar,” the NEC members stated.
Another major concern raised was the continued absence of fully operational internal judicial and dispute-resolution bodies. According to the NEC members, FKF’s Constitution provides mechanisms for handling football-related disputes internally, but the failure to establish and operationalise these bodies has left members seeking alternative avenues, including the courts.
The statement also questioned the status of the Acting General Secretary/CEO, with the NEC members claiming that the official’s six-month acting tenure had expired without a lawful extension. They called for a properly constituted appointment to provide administrative stability while the relevant court proceedings continue.
The leadership dispute has also spilled into questions over NEC meetings and official records. The members raised concerns about alleged alteration or manipulation of meeting minutes, insisting that deliberations and resolutions must be accurately and completely captured in official records.
To break the deadlock, the NEC members called on the FKF president to immediately convene a properly constituted NEC meeting within the constitutional timelines. They want the meeting to prioritise the framework and dates for the 2026/27 season, the establishment of the federation’s judicial bodies, and the lawful appointment of an Acting General Secretary/CEO.
They also called for the immediate and orderly commencement of all FKF competitions, stressing that promotion and relegation play-offs must be implemented in accordance with FKF regulations and existing court directives.
Despite the sharp concerns raised, the NEC members said they remain open to dialogue, provided it is conducted through recognised institutional procedures. They said NEC members were “ready and willing to engage and attend a properly constituted meeting at the earliest opportunity.”
The statement ultimately framed the crisis as a collective responsibility, calling for constitutional compliance, respect for court directives, and genuine dialogue and decisions made through the appropriate FKF organs. The NEC members said they remained committed to working collectively to restore “stability, certainty, and confidence in Kenyan football.”
By John Brighton
