The latest SDT ruling changes the picture around FKF’s promotion and relegation reforms, but the separate Murang’a High Court case means the issue is not completely settled.

The Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) has upheld the validity of Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) 2025 promotion and relegation regulations, ruling that they were properly ratified by the federation’s National Executive Committee (NEC) and did not require approval by the General Assembly.

The Tribunal also found that the regulations had undergone sufficient public participation before their adoption, strengthening FKF’s position in the dispute surrounding the new league structure.

The regulations provide for three teams to be promoted from the National Super League (NSL) and three teams to be relegated directly from the top flight, replacing the previous system that provided for promotion and relegation playoffs.

The matter was brought before the SDT by Kariobangi Sharks, who finished 16th in the 2025/26 top-flight campaign and challenged their automatic relegation. The club argued that the older 2019 regulations should apply, which would have given the team placed 16th an opportunity to retain top-flight status through a promotion/relegation playoff.

The SDT ruling now validates FKF’s position on the 2025 regulations. However, the wider dispute has another legal front in the Murang’a High Court.

Football stakeholder Evans Nduta filed a separate case challenging the manner in which FKF adopted and implemented the regulations. Justice Deborah Chepkwony dismissed FKF’s preliminary objection on July 24, 2026, allowing the case to proceed.

FKF has since moved to the Court of Appeal to challenge the High Court’s jurisdiction, creating another layer of uncertainty around the implementation of the league structure.

That legal battle has significant implications for the 2026/27 Kenyan Premier League season, which was scheduled to begin on August 22. The competition remains on hold while the High Court proceedings continue.

For FKF, the SDT ruling provides important legal backing for the 2025 regulations. However, until the Murang’a case is resolved, the final composition and start of the new top-flight season remain uncertain.

The dispute therefore moves beyond the question of whether three teams should be relegated. It now centres on whether the revised regulations can be fully implemented while the separate High Court challenge remains active.