MPs pass Sports Amendment Bill to tackle match-fixing

Kenya’s National Assembly has approved the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, during its Third Reading, paving the way for the nation’s inaugural dedicated legal framework targeting match-fixing and sports manipulation. Sponsored by Nominated MP Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, this Bill charges manipulation of sports competitions, including bribery, deliberate underperformance, use of insider betting information, and threats or coercion to sway results.

Violators face up to one year in jail, fines, and sanctions such as match forfeiture, exclusion from competitions, lifetime bans, and loss of financial gains stemming from manipulation.

During deliberations, some MPs suggested harsher penalties; Ndyando MP Jared Okello suggested increasing the maximum fine from Sh1 million to Sh5 million. The Act empowers Sports Kenya to receive reports and investigate suspected manipulation cases in collaboration with other bodies, with investigations required to be completed within six months.

Appeals against Sports Kenya’s rulings will be managed by the Sports Disputes Tribunal. Mayaka pointed to a 2023 case where Nairobi City Stars were investigated, after police arrested three suspects accused of offering players money to influence a Premier League match, as proof of a persistent gap in Kenya’s sports administration.

The Bill will proceed to the Senate for approval, following the Constitution’s stipulation that sports matters are a devolved function. Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, who is a footballer for Bunge FC and the Senate’s Deputy Minority Whip, is among the senators expected to review the Bill in the upper chamber. Upon assent from President William Ruto, this legislation would become Kenya’s first comprehensive statutory response to match-fixing, an issue lawmakers say has tarnished the credibility of local football and Kenya’s standing in international sport.