The start of the 2026/2027 National Super League (NSL) season has been thrown into fresh uncertainty after the High Court in Machakos halted the competition’s commencement following a legal challenge by Darajani Gogo FC against Football Kenya Federation (FKF).

The ruling, delivered on Friday, October 23, by Lady Justice Noel Adagi in case number HCJR/E020/2026, grants Darajani Gogo leave to pursue a judicial review application seeking an order of mandamus to compel FKF to reinstate the club on the 2026/2027 National Super League (NSL) fixture list.

The court further directed that the leave granted would operate as a stay of the commencement of the 2026/2027 season, preserving Darajani Gogo’s status as an active NSL member until the substantive application is heard and determined.

The order places the proposed October 25 kick-off in jeopardy, just days after FKF and representatives of participating clubs reached an agreement on a new start date following prolonged uncertainty over the second-tier league.

In a circular to all participating clubs dated October 23, FKF Acting General Secretary and CEO Dennis Gicheru confirmed that the season had been put on hold pending further developments in the case.

The federation said it would keep clubs informed of any updates and communicate when league activities could resume.

Darajani Gogo’s exclusion from the fixture list has been at the centre of the dispute over the regulations governing promotion and relegation. FKF’s decision to apply the 2025 competition regulations has been challenged by the club, which finished 17th last season and maintains that the 2019 rules should apply.

The court has directed Darajani Gogo to file and serve its substantive motion within seven days. The matter will be mentioned on November 17 to confirm compliance and for further directions.

The judge also gave the parties the option of resolving the dispute amicably.

With the federation now confirming the suspension of the kick-off, clubs face another wait for clarity on the league calendar, while the legal battle over Darajani Gogo’s place in the competition remains unresolved.