SDT halts NSL kickoff, voids promotions and orders criminal proceedings against FKF officials
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Reading Time: 3min | Thu. 04.09.25. | 11:18
That replay remains outstanding, and until it is played, the Tribunal has frozen promotions
The start of the 2025/26 National Super League (NSL), which was scheduled for September 13, has been thrown into disarray after the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) halted the competition kick-off and suspended the promotion of Soy United and Compel SC.
The ruling stems from a long-running dispute involving Gucha Stars, who successfully challenged the Football Kenya Federation’s (FKF) decision to dock them points for allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their clash against Nakuru Bucks last season.
Through renowned lawyer Ken Ochieng, the club secured a High Court order granting a replay of the decisive fixture, whose outcome could dramatically alter the promotion standings.
As a result, Soy United’s elevation to the NSL has been nullified, while Compel SC’s playoff victory over Bumbani Stars has also been scrapped pending resolution of the Gucha–Nakuru replay.
In a separate but related blow to FKF, the Tribunal granted leave for criminal contempt proceedings against CEO Harold Ndege, FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee Chairman Peter “Kaskas” Kamau, and Competitions Manager Frank Ogolla.
The three are accused of defying a Tribunal judgment delivered on June 24, 2025, by failing to schedule the Gucha–Nakuru replay as ordered.
The SDT has now directed that no team be promoted from Division One and that the NSL season shall not commence until its rulings are fully complied with.
The matter is set for further mention on September 15, 2025.
Background of the saga
The dispute traces back to a complaint lodged by Nakuru Bucks, who alleged that Gucha Stars had fielded an ineligible player, Eugene Nyakaga, in their match.
Investigations later revealed that the individual on the pitch was in fact Bildad Marube, who had been impersonating Nyakaga.
Nyakaga was not registered in FIFA Connect, and the impersonation breached FKF Rule 6.2.11, which prohibits the use of false information in player registration.
On May 23, 2025, the FKF Leagues and Competitions Committee (LCC) ruled that Gucha Stars had violated the rules.
They awarded the match to Nakuru Bucks on a 3-0 score line, docked Gucha three points, and handed Nyakaga a 365-day suspension while directing Marube to face the Disciplinary Committee.
The decision proved costly — Gucha dropped from first to third in Division One, losing the automatic promotion slot to Soy United, while Compel SC advanced to the promotion playoff.
Gucha appealed, but the FKF Appeals Committee only partially upheld their case, confirming the sanction while admitting that the LCC had acted outside its jurisdiction.
Feeling aggrieved, Gucha escalated the matter to the Tribunal and later the High Court, which ultimately ruled in their favor and ordered the replay.
That replay remains outstanding, and until it is played, the Tribunal has frozen promotions and suspended the start of the new NSL season.
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