Confusion as Sports Disputes Tribunal halts NSL, Division One matches

APS Bomet FC tussle for possession with Migori Youth FC players during their National Super-league tie at Migori stadium. at Moi Stadium in Kisumu. PHOTO BY GILBERT KIMUTAI/STANDARD 

Confusion continued to mar Kenyan football after the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) on Thursday halted the National Super League (NSL) and Division One matches for seven days until a case challenging the manner in which the leagues are run is heard and determined.

This comes after seven NSL clubs and one Division One club went to court seeking intervention to have the Football Kenya Federation Transition Committee to allow Football Kenya Federation Standing Committees to carry out their independent mandates as prescribed by the FKF Constitution.

SDT chairman John Ohaga said the matter will be mentioned on Tuesday for issuance of further orders.

“A conservatory order is issued for seven days staying the respondent’s decision of May 13, 2022 that allowed the continuation of the NSL and Division One matches by the FKF Caretaker Committee,” read part of the ruling.

The petition argues that the Transition Committee and their predecessor the Football Kenya Federation Caretaker Committee (FKFCC) have been running leagues without functional FKF Bodies contrary to the FKF constitution.

SDT affirmed with the petition that there is an apparent conflict of interest by having the Respondent perform all functions that should be overseen by different bodies established under the FKF Constitution which in turn dilutes the system of checks and balances that seeks to ensure the affairs of the league are conducted in an open, transparent, and accountable manner.

Migori Youth is among eight clubs drawn from the two leagues that filed the petition.

Others include Dandora Love, Gusii FC, Zoo FC, Kisumu All Stars, Mwatate United, and Coastal Heroes in the NSL and Kamungei United in the FKF Division One League.

The ruling meant that three NSL matches that had been scheduled for Friday and another seven on Saturday in round 27 will not take place.

NSL matches had resumed in December last year after all sporting activities were suspended in the country over Covid-19 pandemic.