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Hussein Mohammed calls for unified approach to strengthen Kenyan football amid legal battles
09th September, 2026 03:44 PM
Football Kenya Federation (FKF) President Hussein Mohammed has called for greater collaboration among football stakeholders as efforts continue to address challenges affecting the local game and ensure the smooth running of the Football Kenya Federation Premier League.
Mohammed’s call comes shortly after the federation, FKF Premier League clubs and the Cabinet Secretary for Sports Salim Mvurya convened a consultative meeting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, with discussions centred on the development and stability of Kenyan football amid the federation embroiled in a series of legal battles concerning the management of the game.
“The engagement was a courtesy call aimed at forging a unified front on matters of football development and addressing issues affecting Kenyan football. The CS emphasized the need to get the league underway, noting that a running league is critical in preparing our national team for the upcoming AFCON 2027,” he said.
A key issue raised during the engagement was the need to get the delayed domestic league started. According to the FKF boss, the government views a fully operational league as an important part of Kenya’s preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, which the country will co-host.
Mariga’s concern
(FKF) Vice Chairman McDonald Mariga has expressed his deep concerns over the state of affairs of the country’s top-flight football amid a deepening standoff that has seen the league kick-off postponed.
The exact date for the commencement of the league remains in limbo after the revised date of Monday, August 31, 2026, kick-off was pushed back just days after confirmation from the federation.
The 2026/27 Football Kenya Federation Premier League campaign was initially set to get underway Saturday, August 29, 2026, to Sunday, August 30, 2026, with all 18 clubs scheduled to be in action during the opening weekend.
In view of the postponement, the Harambee Stars legend decried the latest delay as disputes that can be avoided, via a statement released on his X page on Monday, August 31, 2026, describing it as particularly concerning.
Delays
“The delay in commencing the 2026/27 league season is particularly concerning given that Kenya, together with our East African partners, is preparing to host the CAF Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) 2027 next year,” Mariga stated.
“We cannot afford to enter such an important period with our domestic football distracted by avoidable institutional disputes. Our clubs need certainty, our players need competitive football, our sponsors need confidence, and our national teams need a properly functioning football ecosystem.”
