The government has described the draft Sports Bill 2026 and the National Sports Policy 2025 as key instruments that will significantly reform and strengthen Kenya’s sports sector.
Speaking on Friday at Talanta Plaza, Nairobi during the presentation of the draft documents by a taskforce mandated to review the sports legal framework, the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports Salim Mvurya, said the proposals mark a major shift in the management and development of sports in the country.
Mvurya stated that the proposed legislation seeks to reposition sports from a largely recreational activity to a structured industry capable of generating employment, supporting livelihoods and contributing to national development.
He noted that the draft Bill and policy address long-standing challenges in the sector, including athletes’ welfare, sports integrity, infrastructure development, governance, leadership in sports federations, and talent development, particularly at the school level.
“These documents contain salient proposals that speak to the current realities facing the sports sector. They have addressed critical issues, especially matters to do with integrity in sports, athletes’ welfare, infrastructure and talent development,” he said.
The CS added that the proposals are aligned with the government’s broader development agenda and recognise sports as a critical driver of economic transformation and social development.
He divulged that key provisions contained in the draft law are reforms in the management of sports infrastructure, the application of technology and data in sports development, the promotion of sports science, and the formal recognition of fans’ associations to enhance discipline.
Mvurya emphasised the importance of inter-ministerial collaboration to ensure effective implementation of the proposed law.
He cited the Ministry of Education as a critical partner in talent identification and development among learners and the Ministry of Health in supporting anti-doping initiatives.
Mvurya who was accompanied by the Principal Secretary Sports Elijah Mwangi said alignment with other ministries would help eliminate gaps in execution and strengthen the ministry’s capacity to oversee the growth of the sports sector.
“We need to align this law with other ministries to avoid leaving gaps in execution and implementation. This will also strengthen our operational capacity as a ministry to grow the sports sector,” he said.
The CS urged stakeholders to actively participate in the review process and submit their views to help refine the proposals and ensure the development of an inclusive and effective legal framework for the sports sector.
The taskforce, chaired by Senior Counsel John Ohanga, has proposed wide-ranging reforms, including the establishment of the National Sports Development Fund and the National Sports Regulatory Authority to enhance financial sustainability and governance in sports.
Presenting the draft report, Ohanga said that the proposed legal framework is intended to address governance challenges that have historically affected sports federations.
He said proposed law introduces clearly defined term limits for officials and senior officers serving in sports federations. He added that the bill seeks to prohibit officials from holding multiple positions that may compromise their effectiveness.
“This law will cure the governance issues in federations. It is introducing defined timeframes for leaders to serve,” explained Ohanga.
The draft proposals will undergo stakeholder consultations and scrutiny by relevant parliamentary committees before being submitted to the Cabinet for consideration.
As sports is a devolved function under the Constitution, the proposed legislation will also be forwarded to the Senate for concurrence.
The taskforce reviewing the Sports Act, 2013, which was constituted in November 2024, was mandated to assess existing policy and legal frameworks and make recommendations aimed at transforming the sector.
By Anita Omwenga
