Ambrose Rachier-led committee formed to plan new KPL season

The clubs had earlier threatened to boycott the 2026/27 season as they maintained a firm stance against participating in a league operated solely under federation control, arguing that a more autonomous structure would enhance professionalism, transparency, and commercial growth.

The operational mandate of the defunct Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited to run the country's top-tier football league came to an end in September 2020 when the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) declined to renew their contract.

The top-flight competition has been operating as the FKF Premier League under the direct control of the federation.

The resolution to form the committee was reached during a meeting between FKF officials and Premier League club representatives on Wednesday in Nairobi, with Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier appointed to chair the committee.

Other members include Mara Sugar's chairperson Ruth Omalla, Kenya Police FC chairman Japheth Munyendo, FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee chairman Frank Ogolla and additional representatives from both the federation and clubs.

The committee is expected to hold its first meeting next week and will develop recommendations on the legal and governance framework needed to steer the league towards a more independent structure while allowing the 2026/27 season, scheduled to kick off on August 22, to proceed as earlier planned.

FKF President Hussein Mohammed said the meeting marked another step towards improving the country's premier football competition.

"We have had very good deliberations today with the League teams. We have formed a seven-member transition team that will give us recommendations on how we can achieve our objectives," said Mohammed.

"It is a consultative meeting to discuss how we can professionalise the league and make it even better in terms of its governance structures. My vision is clear and simple: we need to be the best league on the continent."

Mohammed said the federation will also engage key stakeholders, including league sponsors, before implementing any reforms.

"The team is meeting for the first time next week and they will give us the details, the milestones and the pathway to achieving the objective," he added.

Mathare United chairman Jacktone Obure said clubs had agreed that creating an independent league would require a structured legal process rather than an immediate change.

"We agreed that it's a process. It's something that we cannot just wake up and do immediately. They will look at the legal framework and advise us on the way forward," said Obure.

He also dismissed claims that clubs wanted the new season suspended.

"We don't want anything to delay the league. We have players under contract and clubs have obligations. The league will kick off as agreed while we continue working on the legal framework," he said.

Mara Sugar representative Ruth Omalla described the meeting as productive and expressed confidence ahead of the new campaign.

“The meeting was successful. We are very excited for the upcoming season. We're hopeful and we also hope to have such meetings regularly to avoid misunderstandings," she said, adding that clubs are eager for the season to begin despite pending court cases affecting some league matters.

While discussions on issues such as league governance and the future competition structure will continue, FKF and the clubs say the focus remains on ensuring reforms are implemented without disrupting the start of the new season.