The National Assembly has passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for tougher measures against match-fixing and the manipulation of sporting competitions in Kenya. 
By Fredrick Kioko,
The National Assembly has passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for tougher measures against match-fixing and the manipulation of sporting competitions in Kenya.
The Bill, sponsored by Hon. Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, seeks to strengthen the integrity of Kenyan sports by criminalising practices that undermine fair competition and threaten the livelihoods of athletes and teams.
A key provision introduces a comprehensive legal definition of sports competition manipulation. The offence will cover offering, giving or receiving an undue advantage to influence a sporting outcome, conspiring to fix a match, deliberately underperforming to achieve a predetermined result, and using insider information for betting purposes.
The legislation also strengthens the investigative role of Sports Kenya, allowing the agency to receive reports of suspected manipulation and conduct investigations in collaboration with relevant authorities. Such investigations will be required to be completed within six months.
The Bill further expands the jurisdiction of the Sports Disputes Tribunal, giving it powers to hear appeals arising from decisions made by Sports Kenya concerning alleged manipulation of sporting competitions.
Individuals convicted of manipulating competitions could face a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for a term of up to one year, or both.
The legislation also introduces sanctions targeting clubs and sporting professionals involved in match manipulation. These may include forfeiture of matches, disqualification from competitions and, in serious cases, lifetime bans from regulated sporting events.
In addition, any financial benefit obtained through the manipulation of a sporting competition may be forfeited.
The passage of the Bill marks a significant step towards strengthening accountability, protecting athletes and restoring public confidence in the integrity of Kenya’s sporting competitions.
