The National Assembly has passed the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, setting the stage for tougher action against match-fixing and other forms of manipulation that undermine the integrity of Kenyan sport.
Sponsored by Hon. Irene Mayaka, the Bill proposes amendments to the Sports Act, 2013 by introducing a clearer legal framework for preventing, investigating, and punishing manipulation of sporting competitions.
It defines manipulation to include offering, giving or receiving an undue advantage to influence the outcome of a competition, conspiring to fix a result, deliberately underperforming, and using insider information for betting.
The Bill is expected to strengthen protections for athletes, clubs, and fans against betting-related corruption, while also helping restore confidence in the fairness of sporting results. To support this, it expands the mandate of Sports Kenya, empowering the agency to receive reports of suspected manipulation and to carry out investigations in collaboration with other relevant agencies.
The legislation also introduces timelines for accountability, requiring that investigations be completed within six months. In addition, it broadens the jurisdiction of the Sports Disputes Tribunal to hear appeals arising from decisions made by Sports Kenya on matters relating to manipulation of sporting competitions.
Under the proposed sanctions, individuals convicted of manipulating a sporting competition may face a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
Clubs and professional players may also be subjected to sporting sanctions, including forfeiture of matches, disqualification from competitions, and bans from regulated sporting events. The Bill further provides for the forfeiture of financial gains or other benefits obtained through manipulation.
The legislation comes amid increasing concerns over match-fixing and betting-related interference in sport, with Parliament seeking to ensure that sporting success is determined by talent and performance, rather than illicit financial influence.
