Relief for Kariobangi Sharks as SDT stops FKF from relegating the club
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 12.06.26. | 20:01
The club finished third from bottom in the concluded 2025-2026 FKF Premier League season
Kariobangi Sharks have secured a temporary injunction from the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT), barring the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) from implementing the club's automatic relegation from the Premier League pending the determination of a case challenging the federation's promotion and relegation process.
The tribunal's intervention comes just days after the 2017 Mozzart Bet Cup winners moved to the SDT to challenge FKF's decision to scrap the end-of-season promotion and relegation play-offs.
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Sharks argue that the federation's move contravenes the regulations that should have governed the 2025-2026 season.
In directions issued by Deputy Chairperson Hon. Allan Mola Owinyi on Friday 12, June 2026, the tribunal certified the matter as urgent after finding that the club had established a prima facie case warranting interim relief.
To preserve the subject matter of the dispute, the tribunal issued a temporary injunction restraining FKF, its National Executive Committee, Leagues and Competitions Committee, officers, agents and any persons acting on its behalf from implementing the decision.
The order specifically bars FKF from automatically relegating Kariobangi Sharks without the conduct of a promotion/relegation play-off.
The tribunal further restrained FKF from finalising, announcing or publishing the composition of the 2026-2027 FKF Premier League in a manner that excludes Kariobangi Sharks.
The federation has also been barred from taking any steps that treat the club's relegation as conclusive, including issuing communications to clubs, sponsors or the media indicating that the club has been relegated.
The latest ruling follows an earlier determination by the Sports Disputes Tribunal directing FKF to apply the 2019 promotion and relegation regulations for the 2025-2026 season.
The tribunal found that the federation's 2025 regulations had not been properly formulated and adopted, rendering them inapplicable for the current campaign.
Kariobangi Sharks sought legal redress after FKF opted to abolish the promotion/relegation play-offs and proceeded with automatic relegation.
Sharks finished 16th in the just-concluded FKF Premier League season with 38 points, two points short of securing automatic safety.
According to the tribunal's directions, Kariobangi Sharks are required to serve FKF with all filed pleadings and accompanying documents by close of business on 12 June, 2026.
FKF has until noon on 16 June, 2026 to file and serve its response to both the application and the substantive petition.
The matter will be heard by a three-member panel comprising: Owinyi (Chairperson), Hon. Peris Alela Mukoko and Hon. Luke Wamugunda.
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The case is scheduled for mention on June 17, 2026 at 2:30 p.m. to confirm compliance and provide further directions.
The tribunal also issued a penal notice warning that any disobedience or failure to comply with the court orders would attract legal consequences against the offending parties.