The Football Kenya Federation held a strategic workshop bringing together SportPesa League clubs and key stakeholders to deliberate on the future of the domestic game, in what marks a significant step toward repositioning the league among Africa’s elite competitions.

The meeting, which drew participation from league clubs, FKF leadership, sponsors, broadcasters, and institutional partners, was less about routine deliberation and more about setting a bold, collective vision. At its core was a clear ambition: to transform the SportPesa League into a competitive, commercially viable product capable of standing shoulder to shoulder with the continent’s best.

Discussions stretched across several critical pillars shaping modern football ecosystems. From continental benchmarking to commercialisation and marketing, stakeholders examined how Kenyan football can evolve into a sustainable and attractive enterprise. There was a strong push to professionalise club operations, ensuring teams are not only competitive on the pitch but also stable entities off it.

Broadcasting formed a central part of the conversation, particularly the need to maximize existing partnerships with Azam TV and KBC. Improving matchday production and overall presentation was seen as essential in expanding audience reach and delivering value to both sponsors and media partners.

Safety and security also featured prominently, with hooliganism identified as a major obstacle to growth. Stakeholders acknowledged the urgent need to restore order in stadiums, with plans to strengthen collaboration with law enforcement agencies to create a safer and more welcoming environment for fans.

Infrastructure development emerged as another key focus area. Clubs were encouraged to invest in their own facilities, including stadiums and training grounds, as a pathway to financial independence. The ability to generate revenue through proper infrastructure was highlighted as crucial in building a stronger league.

Fan engagement, recruitment, and retention strategies were also discussed, with emphasis placed on reconnecting with supporters and enhancing the overall matchday experience. Stakeholders agreed that sustained growth will depend on building a loyal and engaged fan base.

FKF President Hussein Mohammed underscored the importance of collaboration in achieving these objectives. “We have to look for viable structures that will ensure we can commercialize the sport effectively and put money into the pockets of every team and every player,” he said.

He further stressed the need to create value across the entire football ecosystem, including broadcast partners, sponsors, and government stakeholders supporting sports development.

The workshop also opened the door to potential structural changes within the league. Questions raised around the viability of the current 18-team format and the possibility of a new management structure were acknowledged, with the federation confirming that these issues are now under active review.

“We will look at restructuring how the league is managed in order for us to achieve our bigger objective. In the coming months we will be giving a report, and the 2026–2027 season will see significant changes,” Mohammed revealed.

The federation through FKF President Hussein Mohammed linked these reforms to Kenya’s broader ambitions, particularly preparations for AFCON 2027. Strengthening the league is seen as essential not only for hosting the tournament but also for improving the quality of players feeding into the national team.