Kenya's National Assembly: Sports (Amendment) Bill 2026 Cracks Down on Match-Fixing

• The National Assembly is currently considering the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which aims to criminalize match manipulation in sporting competitions.
• Offenders could face a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both if the Bill is passed and assented to by President William Ruto.
• The law aims to protect athletes and other stakeholders from the growing threat of match-fixing, which undermines public confidence in sporting events.
• Several high-profile cases have highlighted the need for stronger laws against match-fixing in recent years.

The consideration of this Bill comes as a relief to the Kenyan football sector, which has been marred by match-fixing claims in recent years.

The National Assembly is currently considering the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, which aims to criminalize match manipulation in sporting competitions. The Bill, sponsored by Nominated MP Hon. Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, is currently in the Committee Stage and seeks to strengthen the integrity of Kenyan sports. If it is eventually passed by Parliament and assented to by President William Ruto, offenders could face a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

The consideration of this Bill comes as a relief to the Kenyan football sector, which has been marred by match-fixing claims in recent years. The top-flight SportPesa League, also known as the FKF Premier League, has been particularly affected, with several coaches claiming match manipulation in their matches during the 2025/26 season.

The Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, is a significant development in Kenya's efforts to combat match-fixing. The proposed law aims to protect athletes and other stakeholders from the growing threat of match-fixing, which undermines public confidence in sporting events and threatens the livelihoods and careers of athletes who compete fairly. In recent years, several high-profile cases have highlighted the need for stronger laws against match-fixing.

In 2021, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) slapped indefinite suspensions on 15 Zoo Kericho FC-related players over a match-fixing scandal that rocked the team last season. Later that year, five top football league referees were suspended over allegations of match-fixing and the manipulation of national league results.

The potential passage of the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, has significant implications for Kenyan football stakeholders. Lawyers advising football clubs and stakeholders should be aware of the new penalties for match-fixing, which could include fines up to Sh1 million and imprisonment for up to one year. The law aims to protect athletes and other stakeholders from the growing threat of match-fixing, which undermines public confidence in sporting events and threatens the livelihoods and careers of athletes who compete fairly.

The Bill's progress is a step towards ensuring the integrity of Kenyan sports, but more needs to be done to address the root causes of match-fixing. Football stakeholders must work together to prevent match-fixing and ensure that competitions are fair and credible.

Lawyers advising football clubs and stakeholders should be aware of the new penalties for match-fixing under the Sports (Amendment) Bill, which could include fines up to Sh1 million and imprisonment for up to one year.

Source: Original reporting via Capital FM