By Francis Onyach - Reporter
Kenya, June 08, 2026 - Kenyan football could be headed for another major governance dispute after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) reportedly decided to scrap the promotion/relegation playoff between the FKF Premier League and the National Super League (NSL), opting instead for a direct exchange of three clubs between the two divisions.
The decision means FKF Premier League sides Sofapaka, Bidco United and Kariobangi Sharks are set to drop to the National Super League, while NSL frontrunners Migori Youth FC, 3K FC and Mombasa United would earn automatic promotion to the top flight.
If implemented, the move would represent a significant departure from the promotion and relegation structure that has governed Kenyan football in recent seasons.
Under the traditional system, the bottom two FKF Premier League clubs are automatically relegated while the third-from-bottom side enters a playoff against the third-placed NSL team.
The National Super League promotion race has been one of the most competitive in recent years.
Migori Youth have already secured promotion after an impressive campaign and are on course to finish as NSL champions.
3K FC and Mombasa United have also emerged as leading contenders for promotion following strong performances throughout the season.
Under the existing structure, only the top two NSL teams would gain automatic promotion while the third-placed side would face the 16th-placed FKF Premier League club in a playoff.
However, reports now indicate FKF has opted to abandon the playoff route altogether and instead promote three NSL clubs automatically while relegating the bottom three Premier League sides.
The decision is expected to directly affect Sofapaka, Bidco United and Kariobangi Sharks, clubs that had been hoping to preserve their top-flight status through survival or the playoff system.
The biggest issue surrounding the move is timing.
Critics argue that league rules and competition formats should not be altered after a season has already been played, especially when clubs have spent months planning based on an established framework.
For teams fighting relegation, the playoff offered a potential lifeline.
Removing that option after the season could significantly alter sporting outcomes and financial prospects.
Promotion and relegation remain among the most important aspects of league competition, affecting sponsorship revenue, player contracts, broadcasting income and long-term club planning.
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As a result, such changes are typically expected to be communicated and approved before the start of a season.
The reported move is already generating debate within football circles, and legal action appears increasingly likely.
Affected clubs are expected to examine the legality of the decision and could seek intervention through football judicial structures or the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT).
Should a formal challenge be filed, the matter could delay confirmation of promotion and relegation positions ahead of the 2026/27 season.
Kenyan football has previously witnessed disputes involving league structures, promotion and relegation regulations, with several cases ending before sports tribunals and judicial bodies.
Such disputes have often created uncertainty around league composition and fixture planning.
While controversy surrounds the reported decision, the proposed changes would represent a historic achievement for the promoted clubs.
Migori Youth’s promotion would mark a major milestone for football in Migori County after years outside the top tier.
For 3K FC, promotion would cap one of the most remarkable campaigns in the club’s history, while Mombasa United would return top-flight football to the Coast region.
As things stand, FKF’s reported decision points toward a direct exchange of three clubs between the Premier League and the National Super League.
However, until the federation formally addresses the controversy and any potential appeals are resolved, uncertainty remains.
The coming days could prove crucial as affected clubs evaluate legal options and stakeholders seek clarity on the regulations governing promotion and relegation.
For now, Migori Youth, 3K FC and Mombasa United appear destined for the FKF Premier League, while Sofapaka, Bidco United and Kariobangi Sharks face relegation.
Whether that outcome stands or becomes the subject of another legal battle may depend on how FKF justifies one of the most controversial football decisions in recent Kenyan football history.