Ksh1 million fine and other penalties included in match fixing bill currently in parliament
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 11.03.26. | 20:44
If passed, the proposed amendment is expected to reinforce transparency, accountability, and fairness in sports, ensuring that competition outcomes are determined by talent, discipline, and performance rather than manipulation
A new legislative push aimed at safeguarding the integrity of sports in Kenya could soon see individuals involved in match manipulation slapped with hefty fines, imprisonment, or both if a proposed amendment to the country’s sports law currently before Parliament is enacted.
The Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, sponsored by nominated Member of Parliament Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, was formally introduced in the National Assembly of Kenya on Wednesday, 11 March, marking a significant step in efforts to safeguard the integrity of sporting competitions in the country.
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The proposed legislation seeks to criminalise the manipulation of sporting events while strengthening institutions tasked with protecting fairness and transparency within Kenya’s sports ecosystem.
If enacted, the law will for the first time establish a clear legal framework for addressing match manipulation, an issue that has increasingly threatened the credibility of sporting competitions both locally and internationally.
One of the key highlights of the bill is its broad definition of what constitutes the manipulation of a sporting competition.
Under the proposal, match manipulation will include actions such as offering or receiving bribes to influence the outcome of a match, deliberately underperforming to alter results, conspiring with others to fix competitions, or misusing insider information for betting purposes.
By clearly outlining these offences in law, the bill aims to close longstanding legal gaps that have previously made it difficult to prosecute individuals involved in manipulating sporting outcomes.
The proposed law outlines stringent sanctions for individuals and organisations found guilty of match fixing.
Persons convicted of manipulating sporting competitions will face a fine of up to KSh1 million, a prison sentence of up to one year, or both.
Professional players and clubs implicated in such activities could also face disciplinary consequences, including forfeiture of matches, suspension from competitions, or even lifetime bans from participating in regulated sporting events.
In addition, the legislation stipulates that any financial gains obtained through match manipulation will be confiscated by the state, effectively denying offenders the proceeds of illegal activities.
The bill also proposes to strengthen the mandate of Sports Kenya by granting the agency authority to receive reports of suspected match manipulation and conduct investigations in collaboration with law enforcement and other regulatory bodies.
To enhance efficiency, the proposed law requires that investigations into suspected manipulation be concluded within six months.
Furthermore, the legislation expands the jurisdiction of the Sports Disputes Tribunal to hear appeals from athletes, clubs, and other stakeholders who may feel aggrieved by decisions made by Sports Kenya regarding match manipulation cases.
This provision is expected to create a more structured and transparent dispute resolution mechanism within the country’s sporting framework.
The move to introduce the bill comes amid growing concern over allegations of match fixing that have surfaced across several sporting disciplines in Kenya.
Kenyan football has in recent years been thrust into the spotlight over match-fixing concerns, following reports alleging the involvement of players and officials in organised betting syndicates.
If passed, the proposed amendment is expected to reinforce transparency, accountability, and fairness in sports, ensuring that competition outcomes are determined by talent, discipline, and performance rather than manipulation.
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The bill will now proceed to the next legislative stages, including public participation and committee review, before being subjected to further debate in Parliament.
Should lawmakers approve it, the legislation could mark a significant turning point in the fight against match fixing in Kenyan sport.