Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United have agreed to determine their promotion-relegation status through a two-legged playoff. This decision was made following a mediation process initiated by the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) under President Hussein Mohamed. The mediation process was aimed at resolving the dispute between the two clubs regarding their participation in the top-tier football league.
The playoff will consist of two matches, with Mombasa United hosting the first leg on October 1. The return match will be held in Nairobi on October 6, with Kariobangi Sharks as the home team. According to FKF Head of Communication Jeff Kinyanjui, both clubs have agreed to allow their newly registered players to participate in the playoff.
The agreement was made to bring clarity to the teams' participation in the 2026/27 FKF Premier League. The season has been delayed due to issues with the composition of the top flight. A High Court in Murang’a had ruled that the season should not start until Sharks and Mombasa United played a promotion-relegation playoff.
In a separate court ruling, the High Court in Kiambu directed FKF to include Mombasa United as the 18th team and publish provisional revised fixtures. This added pressure on the federation to find a solution to the dispute between the two clubs. The mediation process has now produced an agreement, allowing the matter to be decided through competitive football.
For Kariobangi Sharks, the playoff offers a chance to maintain their place in the top flight. Mombasa United, on the other hand, will be seeking to secure promotion and earn a spot in the country’s top-tier football league. The two clubs will compete in a two-legged playoff to determine their fate.
The delay in starting the 2026/27 FKF Premier League has been attributed to the uncertainty surrounding the participation of Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United. With the agreement in place, the league can now proceed with the inclusion of the playoff matches. The FKF has been working to resolve the issue and ensure a smooth start to the new season.
The agreement between Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United marks a significant step towards resolving the promotion-relegation dispute. The two-legged playoff will provide a fair and competitive platform for the teams to determine their fate. The FKF has confirmed that the playoff matches will be played on the scheduled dates, with the newly registered players eligible to participate.
Key points
- Kariobangi Sharks and Mombasa United will play a two-legged playoff to determine their promotion-relegation status.
- The playoff matches will be held on October 1 and October 6, with Mombasa United hosting the first leg.
- Newly registered players will be eligible to participate in the playoff matches.
