- The proposed law introduces criminal penalties targeting bribery, deliberate underperformance and other forms of sports manipulation.
- Sports Kenya would investigate manipulation cases, while appeals arising from its decisions would go to the Sports Tribunal.
- Convicted individuals face fines, imprisonment and forfeiture of financial gains obtained through manipulated sporting competitions.
The National Assembly has passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, paving the way for tougher measures against match-fixing and other forms of sports manipulation in Kenya.
The legislation, sponsored by nominated MP Irene Mayaka, seeks to strengthen the legal framework for protecting the integrity of Kenyan sport by criminalising practices that undermine fair competition and public confidence in sporting events. Parliament confirms Mayaka as the sponsor of the Bill.
The Bill introduces a legal definition of sports manipulation and criminalises a range of offences, including bribery, conspiracy to influence match outcomes, deliberately underperforming and the misuse of insider information for sports betting.
Under the proposed framework, Sports Kenya will be empowered to investigate allegations of sports manipulation and will be required to conclude investigations within six months. The six-month determination period was also discussed during the Bill’s Second Reading in the National Assembly.
Any appeals arising from the investigations will be handled by the Sports Tribunal.
Individuals convicted of sports manipulation will face a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both. They will also be required to forfeit any financial gains obtained through the manipulation of sporting events.
Tough sanctions for offenders
The legislation further provides for stringent administrative sanctions against clubs, teams and sports professionals found to have participated in manipulation.
These sanctions may include forfeiture of matches, disqualification from tournaments and, in serious cases, lifetime bans from participating in sport.
The passage of the Bill comes amid growing concerns globally over the impact of match-fixing, particularly as the expansion of sports betting has created new avenues for attempts to influence sporting outcomes.
By establishing clear offences and penalties, the legislation seeks to deter athletes, officials, clubs and other participants from engaging in activities that could compromise the credibility of competitions.
Protecting integrity of Kenyan sport
The Bill marks a significant step towards strengthening accountability in Kenyan sport and ensuring that sporting contests are decided by performance rather than financial or other improper influence.
Its implementation is expected to provide sports authorities and investigative agencies with stronger tools to detect, investigate and punish manipulation while protecting athletes and competitions from corruption.
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The legislation also sends a strong warning to individuals and organisations seeking to profit from manipulating sporting events that such conduct will attract both criminal and sporting consequences.
By Jeff Kirui
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