The start of Kenya’s 2026/27 Premier League season has been put on hold, with the Football Kenya Federation postponing all matches scheduled for the first three days of the campaign.
FKF said on Saturday that fixtures planned for Monday, August 31, through Wednesday, September 2, would not go ahead as scheduled.
The federation said it needed more time to consult participating clubs and league sponsors over how the new season should be managed.
“The Kenya Premier League 2026/27 Round One Fixtures scheduled to be played between Monday, 31st August 2026 and Wednesday, 2nd September 2026 have been postponed,” FKF said in a notice to clubs and stakeholders.
No new dates have yet been announced.
The decision affects several high-profile matches. Among Monday’s postponed games was the meeting between newly promoted 3K FC and Mara Sugar at Moi Stadium in Embu, as well as Mathare United’s home match against APS Bomet at Police Sacco Stadium in Nairobi.
On Tuesday, Ulinzi Stars were due to host Tusker at Ulinzi Sports Complex. Gor Mahia were also scheduled to open their campaign against Murang’a SEAL at Nyayo Stadium, while NSL champions Migori Youth were set to face Kenya Police FC in Awendo.
Wednesday’s fixtures included AFC Leopards against Bandari, Nairobi United against KCB and Posta Rangers against Shabana.
The postponement follows a legal dispute over the rules governing promotion and relegation in the top flight.
The High Court in Murang’a recently allowed FKF to proceed with the 2026/27 season on an interim basis under the federation’s 2019 regulations. Justice Dorah Chepkwony, however, declined to rule at the preliminary stage on the validity of the 2025 regulations, saying that could interfere with the main case.
That ruling leaves the 2019 regulations in temporary use while the wider dispute is considered by the court.
The regulations have become a key issue because their provisions on promotion and relegation differ from those applied during the previous season.
Even with the court’s interim clearance, FKF has chosen to delay the opening round while discussions with clubs and sponsors continue.
The federation said the consultations would help provide direction on the running of the league and promised to issue revised fixtures and the full-season schedule “within the shortest time possible”.
For clubs that had spent weeks preparing for the opening weekend, the postponement means an uncertain wait for clarity on when the new campaign will finally begin.
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