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The Nairobian

Parties agree to have 18 teams: KPL says yes to league expansion, but issues 10 conditions

Football

By Gilbert Wandera | Jan 21, 2015

AFC Leopards celebrates their goal against Gor mahia during their KPL match on 27-07-2014 at Nyayo Stadium.PHOTO/DENNIS OKEYO

A major break-through to have 18 teams in this season’s Kenyan Premier League (KPL) has been agreed upon following Wednesday's follow-up meeting of football officials.

The meeting attended by Football Kenya Federation (FKF) and KPL officials approved the report of a task force constituted to look into the matter.

More significantly, KPL has finally caved in to have an expanded league, but gave 10 conditions they want fulfilled before end of this month, failure to which they will revert to a 16-team league.

According the task force's report in our possession, KPL have insisted their broadcast and title sponsors must approve the expanded league.

Another condition set out by KPL is that FKF should pay them an additional Sh33million to cover the financial gap, which will be occasioned by the increase to 18 teams.
KPL also wants the league fixtures be revised and re-drawn, with more match days considered to include Wednesdays and Fridays. They further asked the federation to provide for and meet expenses occasioned by additional match days.

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Other conditions set out by KPL is that FKF satisfies them on further financial incentives and also be assured on complementary and supplementary of existing contractual obligations between the league company and other partners.

Lastly, KPL wants the league to kick off mid February.

“All the above conditions have to be met by January 31, failure to which, the KPL will revert to 16 teams,” says part of the recommendations by the task force.

The task force had four members with FKF represented by vice chairman Robert Asembo and Michael Esakwa, while KPL was represented by George Odhiambo and Jack Oguda. When the recommendations were tabled at a follow-up meeting on Wednesday, all but two of them were approved.

“All but two of the recommendations were approved. FKF did not give in on the condition that required extra financial incentives and an assurance on the complementarity of KPL’s contractual obligations with their partners. This issues will be discussed at a further meeting on January 28,” said our source.

However, none of the officials was willing to be quoted on record due to the sensitivity of the issues. Wednesday’s meeting was chaired by KPL boss Ambrose Rachier. In attendance from his side were Mathare United chairman Bob Munro, KCB chairman George Odhiambo, KPL Chief Executive Jack Oguda and Thika United chairman Ellio Lolli.

The federation was represented by Sam Nyamweya (chairman) his deputy Robert Asembo, the Chief Executive Michael Esakwa and executive members Simon Mugo and Doris Petra.

Before the next meeting on January 28, both FKF and KPL will come up with a memorandum of understanding to be agreed upon in regard to how they will relate with each other from now onwards.