Efforts to curb match-fixing and restore confidence in Kenyan sport have taken a significant step forward after the Sports (Amendment) Bill, 2026, was formally introduced in the National Assembly of Kenya.
The Bill, sponsored by Senator Irene Mayaka, was read for the first time in Parliament, beginning the legislative process aimed at outlawing the manipulation of sports competitions in the country.
If passed, the Bill will amend the Sports Act of Kenya to explicitly prohibit match-fixing and other forms of sports manipulation, while introducing legal penalties for individuals found guilty of influencing sporting outcomes.
Seven-month push to criminalise match fixing
The Bill’s introduction follows months of advocacy and legislative preparation.
On July 22, 2025, Mayaka appeared before the Parliamentary Sports Committee during the pre-publication scrutiny stage, where she defended the proposal and emphasised the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards to protect the integrity of Kenyan sport.
At the time, she warned that match-fixing had become an increasing threat to local competitions, eroding public trust while exposing athletes and clubs to manipulation by illegal betting syndicates.
Her proposal has now progressed into the formal legislative process following the Bill’s first reading in the National Assembly.
What the Bill defines as match manipulation
A central element of the proposed law is the introduction of a clear legal definition of what constitutes the manipulation of sports competitions.
Under the Bill, manipulation is defined as any act in which a person offers, gives, solicits or receives financial or other advantages in order to improperly influence the result, progress or conduct of a sports competition.
It also covers situations where individuals conspire with others to manipulate a sporting event or intentionally underperform or fail to compete at their best in order to achieve a predetermined outcome.
The definition further includes the use of insider information for betting purposes or to influence the outcome of a competition. In addition, the law would cover cases where individuals threaten, induce or facilitate another person to participate in manipulating a sports event.
The proposed definition is intended to close loopholes that have previously made it difficult to prosecute individuals involved in fixing matches.
The Bill also proposes expanding the powers of sports regulatory bodies in Kenya.
Under the amendments, sports authorities would be allowed to receive and process reports from individuals who suspect manipulation of sports competitions. They would also be empowered to conduct investigations into alleged match fixing in collaboration with other investigative agencies.
The proposed law further requires that investigations into alleged manipulation be completed within six months after a report has been filed.
In addition, the legislation expands the jurisdiction of the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT), allowing it to hear appeals related to decisions made by sports authorities on matters involving the manipulation of competitions.
Proposed criminal penalties
One of the most significant provisions of the Bill is the introduction of criminal penalties for those involved in match fixing.
The proposed law states that any person who directly or indirectly participates in manipulating a sports competition, or assists others in doing so, commits an offence.
Upon conviction, offenders could face a fine of up to Sh1 million, imprisonment for up to one year, or both a fine and imprisonment.
The penalties would apply to athletes, officials, administrators or any other individuals involved in manipulating competitions.
Next steps in the legislative process
Following the first reading, the Bill will now move to the public participation stage, where sports stakeholders, athletes, administrators and members of the public will be invited to submit views and recommendations.
The submissions will then be reviewed by the Parliamentary Sports Committee before the Bill returns to the National Assembly for its second reading, where lawmakers will debate its provisions.
If ultimately passed into law, the legislation would represent one of the most significant reforms to Kenya’s sports governance framework, aimed at strengthening integrity, transparency and accountability across all sporting competitions in the country.
