Kenya’s Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026 has entered Senate committee scrutiny, opening a public-participation process for legislation that would make manipulation of sporting competitions a criminal offence. The measure, sponsored by nominated MP Irene Nyakerario Mayaka, would amend the Sports Act, 2013 and remains under parliamentary consideration rather than being law.
The National Assembly passed the bill on Aug. 19. It received its first Senate reading on Sept. 9 and was referred to the Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare, which must consider public views before reporting back to the Senate.
The committee’s consultation is required under Article 118 of the Constitution and Standing Order 145(5) of the Senate Standing Orders. Written memoranda are due by 5 p.m. on Sept. 28.
The proposed offence is broader than arranging a final score. It would cover offering or receiving an undue advantage to influence a sporting outcome, deliberate underperformance, conspiracy to fix a competition and the misuse of confidential or insider information for betting. Parliamentary material says the definition is intended to address gaps that had made prosecutions difficult.
Individuals convicted of manipulating a sporting competition could face a fine of up to Sh1 million, up to one year in prison, or both. The bill would also permit disciplinary measures against professional players and clubs, including forfeiture of matches, disqualification or suspension from competitions, and potentially lifetime bans from regulated sporting events. Financial gains from manipulation would be confiscated by the state.
Sports Kenya would gain authority to receive reports of suspected manipulation and investigate them alongside law-enforcement and regulatory bodies. Such investigations would have to conclude within six months. The Sports Disputes Tribunal’s jurisdiction would also expand to hear appeals from Sports Kenya decisions in manipulation cases.
Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa told a parliamentary committee that federation sanctions could reach only its own members and that suspected cases had been dismissed because of a lack of legislative provisions. The federation had suspended 25 people, including players and match officials, in connection with its earlier efforts against the practice.
The Standing Committee on Labour and Social Welfare will hold a public hearing at 11 a.m. on Sept. 29 in the Mini Chamber at County Hall, Parliament Buildings, Nairobi.
