Kariobangi Sharks have received a major reprieve in their battle to remain in the FKF Premier League after the Sports Disputes Tribunal issued temporary orders stopping the Football Kenya Federation from automatically relegating the club.
The ruling, delivered by Deputy Chairperson Allan Mola Owinyi, comes after Sharks challenged FKF's decision to scrap the end-of-season promotion and relegation play-off despite an earlier tribunal directive requiring the federation to apply the 2019 league regulations.
Sharks finished the 2025/26 FKF Premier League season in 16th position with 38 points, a spot that under the 2019 regulations would require participation in a promotion/relegation play-off rather than automatic relegation.
In the orders issued on June 12, the tribunal certified the matter as urgent and granted interim relief to preserve the status quo pending a full hearing of the case.
The tribunal specifically restrained FKF, its National Executive Committee, Leagues and Competitions Committee, officers and agents from implementing the decision contained in a June 6 letter that sought to automatically relegate Kariobangi Sharks from the top flight.
The orders further bar the federation from announcing, publishing or finalising the composition of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League in any manner that excludes the club or assumes their relegation has already been confirmed.
The latest development marks another chapter in the ongoing dispute surrounding the league's promotion and relegation framework.
Earlier, the tribunal had ruled that FKF could not rely on the 2025 regulations after finding they had not been properly adopted. As a result, the federation was directed to revert to the 2019 regulations for the 2025/26 season.
Under those rules, only two teams are relegated automatically, while the club finishing 16th enters a play-off against the third-placed side in the National Super League to determine the final place in the following season's Premier League.
Kariobangi Sharks moved to the tribunal, arguing that FKF's decision to abolish the play-off was contrary to the earlier Tribunal ruling and would unfairly condemn them to relegation.
The tribunal agreed that the club had established a prima facie case warranting protection before the matter is fully heard and determined.
FKF has now been directed to file and serve its response to both the application and the petition by June 16, while Sharks will have the opportunity to submit a further affidavit if necessary.
A three-member panel comprising Allan Mola Owinyi, Peris Alela Mukoko and Luke Wamugunda has been appointed to hear the matter.
The case will be mentioned on June 17 via Microsoft Teams for compliance checks and further directions.
The outcome of the proceedings could have significant implications for the final composition of the 2026/27 FKF Premier League and the fate of clubs affected by the promotion and relegation dispute.
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